Types of flood risk

For information on how to report flooding, visit our report flooding page.

Surface water flooding

Rain that doesn't drain away or flows overland putting people, property or critical infrastructure at risk.

Contact the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA): West Berkshire Council.

River (fluvial) flooding

Main rivers that overtop their banks or breach embankments/flood defences putting people, property or critical infrastructure at risk.

Contact the Environment Agency.

Groundwater flooding

Water which rises from the ground or emerges from slopes putting people, property or critical infrastructure at risk.

Contact the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA): West Berkshire Council.

Highway flooding

Water within the highway that is not draining away or is making the road dangerous.

If it's on the M4 or A34, contact National Highways.

For all other roads contact West Berkshire Council.

Sewer flooding

Water from public sewer systems, often identifiable by discharge from manhole covers. Can cause highway flooding, property flooding, and health and safety concerns.

Contact the water and sewerage company (Thames Water).

For reservoir flooding, coastal and tidal flooding, contact the Environment Agency.

You can see long term flood risk maps showing surface water, fluvial, coastal and reservoir flood risk on GOV.UK.

Please also refer to the appendices within West Berkshire Councils Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) for other useful flood risk related maps.