From Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging
Updated 5th January 2024
Following recent heavy rainfall, there are a number of flooding roads and areas in Wiltshire that are flooded or at risk of flooding.
Update Friday 5 January: there is a lot of water on the Wiltshire highways network. If you are travelling today or over the weekend, please remember:
- Take extra care and drive to the conditions.
- Watch out for surface water on the roads.
- Do not drive through floodwater.
- Plan your journey before you travel.
- Allow extra time for your journey.
- Reduce your speed.
The following roads are closed because of flooding as of 4pm on Friday 5 January. However, this isn't a complete list of every affected road in Wiltshire - there may be other roads, particularly side roads and smaller roads, that are experiencing flooding in the county. We are updating this page regularly, but not in real time. For live highways updates, please see One Network. Please do not attempt to drive through floodwater.
- Freeth Corner
- B3109 Town Bridge, Bradford on Avon
- B3018 Winsley Hill
- B4069 Christian Malford
- Reybridge
- The Wharf Lacock
- B3105 Staverton (The Causeway)
- B3106 Staverton (Tollgate Road)
- B3107 Challeymead
- Smallbrook Road, Warminster
- Kellaways
- A361 Littleton Semington
- A363 Yarnbrook
- A342 Lydeway
- B3414 Boreham / East of Bishopstow Road
There are some river and groundwater flood warnings in place in the county. For the full list of flood warnings, please check for flooding in England(opens new window). This information may change and there may be further flood warnings over the coming days.
Please also sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings at Sign up for flood warnings(opens new window) and be aware of what to do in the event of flooding emergencies at What to do in a flood - Check for flooding(opens new window).
To report flooding, please use MyWilts online reporting
To stay up to date with road closures, follow our social media channels at www.twitter.com/wiltscouncil(opens new window) and www.facebook.com/WiltshireCouncil(opens new window).
To find a parish's flood plan, search your parish council's website. Your councillors, their contact details and areas of responsibilities can be found here
Preparing for a flood
- Keep a list of useful numbers somewhere safe that you’ll remember – for example, your local council, your insurance company, the Environment Agency’s Floodline number.
- Check with Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or visit the Government’s flood warning website to find out whether there are specific flood warnings for your area.
- If you live by a river, make sure you are clear on your rights and responsibilities.
- Get sandbags to block doors and airbricks. You can get these from a builders’ merchants or your local council may be able to provide advice. Alternatively, you can make your own using old pillow cases or carrier bags filled with sand or earth.
- If possible, and if it’s safe to do so, ensure that surface water drains are kept clear to allow water to drain away quicker.
- Make a flood kit – a torch, a battery or wind-up radio, necessary medication, emergency contact numbers, rubber gloves, and your insurance policies – and keep in a safe place, ideally upstairs.
- Make sure you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
- Check with your insurance company that your policy provides adequate cover for a flood – don’t underestimate how much damage can be done.
Flooding
What To Do When A Flood Starts
- Stay alert – events can change very quickly during a flood. Keep an eye on the weather, and listen out for warnings on local radio.
- If it looks as though your home might be at risk, move everyone (including pets) upstairs or to higher ground. If you have the ability and time, you should also move as many possessions as you can upstairs.
- If floodwater starts to enter your home, turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
- If things get really bad, the local authority and emergency services may decide to evacuate an area. Have a bag ready in case this happens, and make sure you have any necessary medication.
- If you have an elderly or vulnerable family member or neighbour who is at risk of flooding, contact them to ensure that they are prepared and know what to do should their home flood.
- Remember that floodwater is likely to be contaminated and could contain sewage. Try not to touch anything that has been in contact with the water. Items that have been affected by floodwater should be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned.
- Only call the emergency services if there is risk to life or you have no way of protecting your property yourself. Remember that, during heavy flooding, all services will be very busy and may not be able to help straight away.
Travelling In Flooded Areas
If you are travelling through areas affected by flooding, please follow this advice:
- Don’t drive through standing water – as well as the water damaging your car, there may be hazards under the water you can’t see, or it may be a lot deeper than you realise. If you see a sign to say that the road is closed due to flooding, remember the sign is there for a reason. Don’t try to drive through or you might get stuck
- If you are driving a larger vehicle, do not go through flood water at speed as this creates a ‘bow wave’ that can then cause flooding to adjacent properties.
- If you do break down in flooding, firefighters can only rescue you and anyone else in the vehicle. It is your responsibility to get the vehicle recovered.
- When driving, if heavy rain is making visibility difficult, pull over if possible.
- Remember that roads will be slippery during wet conditions.
- Don’t try and walk through floodwater that is above knee level, as the force of the water could easily knock you off your feet. There is also a danger of open manholes, trenches or other hazards that you can’t see.
After The Flood
- Contact your insurance company and start the process of claiming.
- Contact your gas, electricity and water companies – you’ll need to have your supplies checked before you switch them back on.
- Open your home’s doors and windows to ventilate the property. Remember to remove any sandbags across airbricks.
- Watch out for any broken glass or nails while cleaning up.
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Flooding And Your Electrics
The following advice has been provided by Electrical Safety First for anyone dealing with flood damage to their home:
- Make sure the property is safe before you enter. Use a torch – don’t try to switch on the lights.
- Don’t touch any sources of electricity – such as switches or appliances – when you are standing in floodwater.
- Open your home’s doors and windows to ventilate the property. Remember to remove any sandbags across airbricks.
- Don’t turn your gas or electricity supplies back on until your provider says it is safe to do so.
- Do not attempt any electrical repairs or connection of temporary supplies yourself – always use a registered electrician after contacting your supplier.
- Don’t turn your gas or electricity supplies back on until your provider says it is safe to do so.
See Also:
Message From
Rachel Clements(Fire & Rescue, Area Command, Dorset & Wiltshire)
