Flooding: keep your guttering, drains and gullies

Firefighters have issued advice after a bungalow in Holland-on-Sea was affected by flooding this morning.

A crew from Clacton was called to the property in Windermere Road, Holland-on-Sea today at 7am. 

Flood water was entering the property after heavy rain and was affecting the electrics.

Crew Manager Andy Anderson said: "Firefighters diverted the water and made sure the property was safe for the occupants.

"The incident highlighted the importance of clearing leaves and other debris from your guttering, drains and gullies. If they become blocked, as in this case, it will increase the risk of floodwater affecting your property if there is heavy rainfall." 

It was one of 26 flooding-related calls Essex County Fire and Rescue Service received in three hours, between 5.20am and 8.40am. Other incidents included:

• On-call firefighters from Weeley attended a property in Cotswold Road, Clacton at 7.08am after flooding affected the electrics. The crew isolated the electrics and diverted the water.
   
• Southend firefighters were called at 6.15am to Westcliff Parade, Westcliff where a severe leak in the roof was causing flooding and a smell of burning in the lift area. They made sure the building was safe.
   
• On-call firefighters from Braintree were called to internal flooding at a care home in Railway Street, Braintree at 6.08am. Crews used a salvage sheet to limit the damage and isolated the electrics.
   
• An office space, measuring about 25 square metres, in Rookery Hill, Corringham flooded. On-call firefighters from Corringham attended at 8.18am and made the property safe.
   
• Firefighters from Rayleigh Weir attended a property affected by internal flooding in King Georges Close, Rayleigh at 8.24am and made sure it was safe.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service works with partner agencies to help during floods. However, it can only respond to incidents when there is a risk to life. 

If your home is affected by floodwater, and only if it is safe to do so, you should:

• Ensure your external drains are clear of debris
• Take everything off the ground to prevent damage
• Turn electrics off or call an electrician if you cannot do this safely

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Many of the firefighters who attended flooding-related incidents this morning are on-call firefighters; people who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and help their communities.

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter.

Find out more about the role at essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call