Types of flooding and who to contact

Flooding incidents within the borough are often responded to by different multi-agency teams. This includes some of our teams, the Environment Agency, United Utilities and the emergency services.

This page includes information about the different types of flooding and the appropriate team to contact for that type of flooding. Contact details for the relevant teams are included in each section below. 

If there is an immediate risk to life, please dial the emergency services on 999.

Types of flooding

Flooding from a main river, the sea, and tides

Flooding from main rivers, such as the River Mersey or Sankey Brook, is also referred to as fluvial flooding. Fluvial flooding occurs when the river level rises above its banks or flood defences and overflows into land. Tidal flooding is where the river is influenced by a high tide that occurs during severe winds or storms (i.e. a storm surge).

Flood zones mark the area susceptible to these sources and are defined for every river. These outline the different flood risks and where defences are in place to protect communities from fluvial or tidal flooding. View flood zones on a map.

Fluvial flooding is managed by the Environment Agency, who should be contacted in the instance of this type of flooding. See their contact details below.

Incident hotline (24-hour service)
0800 80 70 60

Floodline (24-hour service)
Telephone: 0345 988 1188
Textphone: 0345 602 6340

The Environment Agency can also be contacted for general enquiries via email on enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Highway flooding

Highway authorities provide and manage highway drainage and flooding from the highway or highway drains. They are responsible for managing surface water flood risk on roads through maintenance of the highway drainage system.

Responsibility for managing the flood risk from highways in St Helens falls to St Helens Borough Council, who should be contacted if highway flooding is noted.

Contact the council to report highway flooding online. Alternatively, call 01744 676789.

Flooding from an ordinary watercourse

Ordinary watercourses are defined as every river, stream, ditch, drain, cut, dyke, sluice, sewer (other than public sewer) and passage through which water flows, which does not form part of a main river. St Helens Borough Council is the relevant Risk Management Authority and should be contacted if this type of flooding arises.

Contact the council to report watercourse flooding online. Alternatively, call 01744 676789.

Groundwater flooding

Groundwater flooding happens when levels of water in the ground rise above the surface. It can affect property and structures above and below the ground, with basements being particularly susceptible. It is most likely to happen in areas where the ground contains aquifers. These are permeable rock or porous substrate that water can soak into or pass through.

Lead Local Flood Authorities have a remit to manage the risk of groundwater flooding. St Helens Borough Council is the relevant Risk Management Authority and should therefore be contacted if groundwater flooding occurs.

Contact the council to report groundwater flooding online. Alternatively, call 01744 676789.

Sewer flooding

Sewer flooding happens when sewers are overwhelmed by heavy rainfall or when they become blocked. The chance of flooding depends on the capacity of the local sewerage system and the amount of rain that falls. The water and sewerage undertaker responsible for managing the flood risk from public sewers in St Helens is United Utilities, who should be contacted if sewer flooding is noted.

Report sewer flooding by calling United Utilities on 0345 6723 723. Alternatively, report sewer flooding to United Utilities online.

Flooding from a burst water main

Suspected leaks from a water main and any resulting flooding should be reported to United Utilities, who are the responsible Risk Management Authority for dealing with water leaking from their water mains.

Report a leak via the United Utilities Leakline - 0800 330033. Alternatively, a burst water main and any associated flooding can be reported online.

Report a flood

Report a flooding incident to the council online.

Flooding contact information

If there is a risk to life, please dial the emergency services on 999

St Helens Borough Council

Contact number: 01744 676789

Environment Agency

Floodline (24-hour)
Telephone: 0345 988 1188
Textphone: 0345 602 6340

Incident hotline (24-hour): 0800 80 70 60

United Utilities

Telephone (24-hour): 0345 672 3723