Surface water flooding

Surface Water Flooding

This type of flooding is caused because the volume of water falling or flowing onto the impervious surfaces overwhelms existing drainage systems. It is usually short lived and associated with heavy downpours of rain, thunder storms etc. Often there is limited advance notice of this type of this localised flooding. However weather forecasts from the Met Office can give a good generalised indication of the flood risk.

Highway drainage systems are designed to deal with certain frequencies of storm and rainfall intensity. Flooding can be caused by the sheer volume of water or indicate a blockage or maintenance problem with the system. Any flooding should be reported so that the flooding can be dealt with and the system checked for adequacy. Surface water flooding caused by blocked street gullies should be reported to Herts Highways online by selecting a service box and clicking on 'flooding and drainage' or by telephoning 0300 123 4040.