15/08/2022 - Permalink

Weather update Mon 15 August 2022 11am: Thunderstorms and flash flooding possibilities

Related topics: Climate change / environment / Highways, transport and environmental maintenance / Partner organisations

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms affecting Shropshire between Monday morning (15 August 2022) and midnight at end of Tuesday (16 August 2022).

These storms will be ‘hit and miss’, with some places missing them altogether, but where they do form the rain falling on hard ground following the heatwave is likely to quickly runoff. As a result there is an increased risk of surface water impacts, flash flooding on small watercourses and possible traffic disruption where the rainfall exceeds the capacity of the highway drainage network.

If you are in an area susceptible to surface water flood risk please ensure you are prepared and are ready to install any property flood resilience measures you have on the property. Sandbags are available for collection from council depots, with more information on how these can be collected the council website, click here. Please be aware that during a storm event Shropshire Council are likely to be receiving a high number of calls; therefore, may not be able to deliver sandbags to your property.

Highway flooding issues can be reported to Shropshire Council on 0345 678 9006. If flooding is being caused by the Severn Trent’s sewer network, this can be reported to Severn Trent on 0800 783 44 44. If it is an emergency or if there is a risk to life please call 999.

Keep an eye on the Met Office website for further updates.

Flash flooding can be a problem in the UK, and could occur during the summer.

  • Take care as there may be hidden dangers in the flood water like sharp objects, raised manhole covers and pollution
  • Flood water could have caused structural damage to your property
  • In almost all cases the insurance company will send a loss adjuster to look at your property. They will confirm what repairs and replacements are needed and covered by your policy
  • If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible
  • Open the doors and windows to ventilate your home (it takes a brick about 25mm/1inch a month to dry out)
  • Remember to unblock your airbricks and doorways, but take care to ensure your house is secure against intruders.

Link to weather warnings: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-08-15