Flood advice

Since the enabling of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 councils that are appointed as lead local flood authorities (LLFA) have duties under Section 19, to undertake investigations for flood incidents and events.

Consequently Harrow, as an LLFA has produced a flood investigation report which includes:

1. On becoming aware of a flood in its area, an LLFA must, to the extent that it considers it necessary or appropriate, investigate -
   a) which risk management authorities have relevant flood risk management functions
   b) whether each of those risk management authorities has exercised, or is proposing to exercise, those functions in response to the flood.
2. Where an authority carries out an investigation under subsection (1) it must -
   a) publish the results of its investigation
   b) notify any relevant risk management authorities.
3. The LLFA threshold that deem a flood event is significant and would require a section 19 flood investigation are set out below:

• if caused internal flooding to five or more residential properties, or
• flooded two or more business premises, or
• flooded one or more items of critical infrastructure, or
• caused a transport link to be totally impassable for a significant period.
  The definition of “significant period” is dependent on the transport link affected as follows (Highway categories are as set out in Table 1 of the UKRLG Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance).
  • Category 1 highways (motorways) and major rail links – 2 hours or more
  • Category 2 and 3a highways and other railway links – 4 hours or more
  • Category 3b and 4a highways – 10 hours or more
  • Category 4b highways – 24 hours or more