In just a few minutes after a heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon (25 June) parts of Cranleigh were very quickly flooded.

Knowle Lane 25 June 2016

This incident shows exactly how rapidly flooding can occur and provides a clear indication of how catastrophic a prolonged period of heavy rain would be on residents, as happened in 2013.  And this is before another 1520 houses are built, mostly on Cranleigh’s flood plain!

Car stuck in flood water Cranleigh 2013-14

December 2013

When flooding occurs it is not just from rainwater, it also contains raw sewage which bubbles up from the sewage network and mixes with the flood water.  You should not attempt to clear this away yourself without protective clothing and you should not let children play in flood water.


Report Flooding

YOU MUST REPORT INCIDENTS OF FLOODING TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS SEPARATELY:

Thames Water (24-hour customer service team on 0800 316 9800)

Waverley Borough Council Environmental Health on 01483 523393, or email environmentalhealth@waverley.gov.uk

Environment Agency (0800 807 060)

THESE ORGANISATIONS DO NOT SHARE INFORMATION AND IF NOT INFORMED SEPARATELY THE INCIDENT WILL NOT BE RECORDED AND THIS LEADS TO INACCURATE RECORDS OF FLOODING.


Flood Water Precautions

Precautions to be aware of when dealing with flooding to prevent unnecessary additional health problems:

• keep children out of the water

• wherever possible, try to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater. If you have to go into the water, wear waterproof gloves and rubber boots and remember to be careful of potentially concealed hazards.

• wash your hands – this is the most important way to get rid of harmful bugs. Use warm, clean water and soap before eating or preparing food, after being in contact with floodwater, sewage or with items that have been in the water. Use cold water to wash if warm is not available. If there is no clean water, use disposable soapy, wet wipes or sanitising gel to carefully clean all parts of your hands and dry them.

• keep open cuts or sores clean and use waterproof plasters to prevent them being exposed to floodwater.

• do not eat any food that has been in contact with floodwater or sewage.


Cranleigh War Memorial from this:

Cranleigh War Memorial starts to flood 25-06-16

 

To this in minutes:

Child in flood water Cranleigh Memorial 25-06-16

Cranleigh War Memorial 25-06-16

Cranleigh War Memorial

Cranleigh War Memorial 25-06-16


For more information on local flooding:

WATCH OUR FLOOD FILM TAKEN OVER DECEMBER 2013 AND JANUARY 2014