Flood risk management
Flood risk management
Reporting a flood
Emergencies
If you are suffering from a flooding incident now and require assistance, contact your emergency services.
If you would like to report a flood on your property based on recent events
Fill out the flood investigation form
If you are concerned about flooding from a main river or the sea, you should contact the Environment Agency.
What you need to know
Northumberland County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and the Coast Protection Authority (CPA) for Northumberland.
The Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) team are responsible for:
- managing flood risk from local sources
- controlling erosion and managing the coastline
The FCERM team largely focuses on:
- attracting funding for new coastal and flooding schemes
- responding to planning applications with regards to surface water flood risk
- providing land drainage consents for works which affect the flow of an ordinary watercourse
We take a partnership approach to funding flood and coastal management projects. Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) makes up a large proportion of the funding.
Schemes are usually only made possible by contributions from other sources, such as:
- regional Local Levy funding
- public contributions
- private contributions
FDGiA is applied for by producing a business case for approval from the Environment Agency. The business case should set out the technical, social and economic viability of the project.
How much FDGiA we receive for a project is largely based upon how many households will be better protected from flooding and coastal erosion. Other infrastructure is also considered.
To find out more about our flood and coastal risk management schemes click on the interactive map. For specific information on schemes in the county, see the flood risk management and coast protection sections.
For more information on the council’s flood and coastal risk management functions, you can contact us on:
Email: fcerm@northumberland.gov.uk
Phone: 0345 600 6400
How we handle your information
FCERM Privacy Notice (PDF)
Our risk management
Northumberland County Council is the lead local flood authority (LLFA) for Northumberland as defined by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
As a result, the council has duties and responsibilities to assist in the management of flood risk from local sources within our administrative boundary. Sources of flood risk identified as local by the act include:
- surface water
- ordinary watercourses
- groundwater
- lakes
- small reservoirs
Roles and responsibilities for flooding document (PDF)
Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment for Northumberland (PDF)
PFRA Addendum (PDF)
Local flood risk management strategy
We have developed a local flood risk management strategy, which outlines how we manage flooding in our area and work with other authorities to manage all sources of flooding.
The strategy plays an important role in formalising an integrated approach to local flood risk management in Northumberland by identifying local objectives and setting out measures with short, medium and long-term actions.
This approach helps us manage risk in a way that delivers the greatest benefit to our residents, businesses and the environment.
The strategy was formally approved for implementation by the county council 4 November 2015.
Local flood risk management strategy documents
- strategy (PDF)
- maps and figures (PDF)
- action plan (PDF)
- strategic environmental assessment (PDF)
- habitats regulations assessment (PDF)
- habitats regulations assessment map of European-designated sites (PDF)
Find out more about the council’s flood risk management functions
Email: FCERM@northumberland.gov.uk
Flood risk management schemes
This project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency.
The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.
FloodAI is led by Northumberland County Council in partnership with Arup, Northumbria University, Isle Utilities and Environment Agency.
We are working with six communities in Northumberland:
- Haltwhistle
- Acomb
- Riding Mill
- Stocksfield
- Ovingham
- Hepscott
We aim to increase resilience by creating a new type of flood prediction service.
This will enable communities to evolve their decision making in operational flood response, reducing impacts, and the project will serve as a prototype for wider national implementation for communities with similar flood risk behaviour.
Find out more about our flood and coastal risk management schemes on the interactive map.
Northumberland County Council is part of the Northumbria Integrated Drainage Partnership (NIDP), a partnership of Northumbrian Water, the north east LLFA's and Environment Agency, working together to reduce our communities' risk of flooding from all sources.
Find out more about the flood risk studies we are involved in.
Flood resilience
Improve your resilience to flooding:
- Sign up for flood warnings
- Prepare for flooding
- Flood plan guidance for communities and groups
- Flood advice for businesses
- National Flood Forum
- Flood line
Telephone: 0345 988 1188 - Blue pages flood products and services for home or business
Guides on managing surface water at home:
- Managing wet gardens guide (PDF)
- Yarden guide (PDF)
If you own land or property where a watercourse, culvert, ditch, stream runs through or adjoins your land you are deemed riparian owner. Find out more about owning a watercourse.
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