Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is advising residents to take care in and around flood water.
There are currently a number of alerts for possible flooding across areas of Berkshire.
Find out whether your local area has been given a flood alert or flood warning. Please follow our guidance:
- If you are driving, please do not attempt to drive through flood water. Just 30cm of moving flood water is enough to make your car float and potentially move you into deeper water where you could become stranded;
- Do not let children play in flood water as it could be deeper than it seems;
- Ensure good ventilation if using portable indoor heating appliances to dry out indoor spaces – do not use petrol or diesel generators or other similar fuel-driven equipment indoors: the exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which can kill;
- Do not turn on gas or electrics if they have got wet – only turn them on when they have been checked by a qualified technician;
- Do not move or ignore road closures signs – they are there for your safety, so please do not ignore them;
- Make sure people and pets are upstairs if your building does begin to flood;
- Sign up for Flood Warnings on the Government’s website to be notified when flooding may occur in your area;
- Follow the Environment Agency South East on X (formally known as Twitter) (@EnvAgencySE) to keep up-to-date with flood alerts;
- Call the Environment Agency’s 24/7 flooding hotline for advice and support at any time on 0345 988 1188.
- Monitor online information from The Met Office, which issues weather warnings when severe weather is expected;
- As the temperature continues to drop, you can sign up for cold-health alerts which indicates when adverse weather is likely to impact the health and wellbeing of those around us.
For more advice on what to do to prepare for flooding or if you have been flooded, the Environment Agency and Public Health England have produced a Flooding: Advice for the Public guide.