Become a flood warden
Volunteer flood wardens are a valuable resource to the council and local communities.
During severe storm events, flooding can occur at numerous locations simultaneously and monitoring every potential flood risk area is extremely difficult.
Our wardens contact us with the most up-to-date information which would otherwise go unrecorded. Even if it's just a phone call to us to say that a river level has got higher, we can use that information to see what areas are under threat and take the necessary action.
What wardens do
Flood wardens:
- keep an eye on watercourses
- use their own local knowledge to recognise and report flood risks
- relay messages about potential flooding to others in the area they cover
- provide emergency services with important information in the event of a flood
The role of a flood warden is primarily to observe and report, they should not:
- place themselves in any danger
- take responsibility for moving or protecting anyone's property
- clear ditches or culverts
Flood wardens will only be allocated an area that can be managed effectively. It could be just the street they live in, or could also include a few streets which connect to it.
Warden training
Training for flood wardens is provided by the Kent Resilience Forum - a partnership between Kent County Council, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Kent Police.
Warden training covers subjects including:
- the work of the Environment Agency
- how the flood warning service works
- local flood risk in their community
- safety
- warning and informing arrangements
- emergency planning structures
- response arrangements
Sign up to be a flood warden
To express an interest in becoming a flood warden, contact us via email using the details at the bottom of this page.
We are particularly keen to hear from more volunteers in Tonbridge.