Preparing for flooding

Being prepared for flooding could save your life and your property.

You can read advice in the  Before During and After Flooding Leaflet (pdf, 363kb) (opens in a new window) .

The Environment Agency provide the following services to help you prepare for flooding in Dorset:

• Information to help you prepare for flooding and deal with its aftermath 
• A free Flood Warning Direct service to inform you of flood warnings by telephone, mobile, e-mail, SMS text message, fax or pager
• Information on why floods happen, to help you understand them
• Work to manage, respond to and mitigate flood risk to minimise the impact of floods

Find out more at the Environment Agency's flood pages (opens in a new window)  online. 

Flood defences

Are you in a high flood-risk area and need sand bags? Contact your local council using the pages below or get in touch with your parish and town councils to obtain sand bags or other flood defences.

If you own land or property alongside a river or other watercourse the Environment Agency produce a guide  Living on the Edge (pdf, 143kb) (opens in a new window) which explains your rights and responsibilities as an owner.

• Flooding - East Dorset

  Information on flood protection and land drainage in East Dorset.

• Flood protection - North Dorset

  Information on flood protection and land drainage in North Dorset.

• Flooding and land drainage - Purbeck District Council

  The District Council administers some functions under the Land Drainage Act. The Act only gives the council a power and not a duty.

• Flooding and land drainage - West Dorset District Council

  You could be affected even if your home doesn't flood. We can help you, your community or business to be better prepared.

• Flooding - Weymouth and Portland

  Problems or information sought on flooding or drainage problems in Weymouth and Portland.

• Managing local flood risk at Dorset County Council

  The council is now a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).