Flooding

Weather forecasting can provide us with advance warning of most weather events. For up-to-date weather forecasts and warnings, please visit the Met Office's website.

Severe weather incidents have and will continue to affect our area.

In flooding emergencies we will:

  • Work with the emergency services
  • Help evacuate people from their homes

Our emergency planning and severe weather pages offer more information.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland's environmental regulator and flood warning authority. SEPA provide us with advice on flood risk and prevention.

However, it should be noted that it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure appropriate and protective measures are taken against flood risk to their residential or commercial property.

We (Falkirk Council) are happy to provide advice and guidance to those in the area that feel they are at risk of Pluvial or Fluvial flooding.

Our flooding roles & responsibilities

  • Investigate localised flooding
  • Plan SWMP's and Flood Studies in line with FRMA Scotland 2009, working alongside statutory body.
  • Produce local plans and carry out role as LA for Forth Estuary
  • Inspect, Maintain and Repair watercourses in required areas
  • Review planning applications with imminent flood risk
    Planning application advice on flood risk and surface water drainage
    PDF file, 309.4 KB
  • Assist during severe flood events

Live Information

  • Follow Falkirk Council Roads on Twitter to access up to date closures and localised flooding in the Falkirk Council area
  • Central FM (103.1) to keep up to date with wider issues and road closures within the Central Belt
  • SEPA flood alert page to see if your area is at direct impact of flooding
  1. Table of contents
  1. Frequently asked questions

How to prepare for a flood

Before

  • Ensure all valuables are removed from flood risk
  • Know how to turn off your utilities (gas/electricity/water)
  • Prepare important documents (Insurance/identification)
  • Consider where to relocate your car
  • Prepare sandbags/flood boards to cover airbricks and doorways
  • Maintain a list of essential contact numbers house insurance/Falkirk Council)

During

  • Do not enter flood water.
  • Do not attempt to clear flood water.
  • Alert Emergency services if water levels increase.
  • Notify Falkirk Council Contact Centre.
  • Move immediately to higher ground if possible.
  • Disconnect machines that use water (Dishwashers/ Washing Machines)
  • Help stop water from entering your home by plugging bath and sink holes with towels.
  • Listen to the emergency services when told to evacuate.
  • Install PFR measures if you have them.

After

  • Take care as there may be hidden dangers as a result of the flood waters.
  • Contact your utility service to find out when it is suitable to turn on your gas and electric.
    Do not turn this on yourself without notifying your provider as this may require a professional.
  • Photograph or video record your damaged property to allow for insurance companies to better assist you.

Recommended Flood Emergency Kit

  • Non-perishable Food (i.e. tinned food & Cereal Bars etc)
  • Water-proof clothing,footwear and blankets.
  • Important documentation i.e.passport/insurance/birth certificates etc.
  • First Aid Kit
  • Battery operated/Wind up radio and torch
  • Essential medication for vulnerable persons (i.e. elderly and infants)

Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme

The Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme (GFPS) is the largest flood defence project in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK , protecting communities in Grangemouth, Wholeflats, Glensburgh, Langlees , Carron, Carronshore and Stirling Road in Camelon .

  • Grangemouth and its surrounding areas are at risk of fluvial and tidal flooding which could have potential impacts on local homes and businesses Promoted by Falkirk Council and backed by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( the GFPS has been identified as Scotland's highest priority, flood protection scheme The scheme covers coastal flooding from the Forth Estuary and fluvial flooding from the River Carron, River Avon and the Grange Burn On completion, the scheme will protect 5 800 people, 2 650 homes, 330 businesses and road and rail infrastructure It will consist of almost 27 km 17 miles) of flood defence walls, embankments, flood gates, flow regulation measures and drainage work
  • The Flood Protection Scheme will develop in accordance with measures set out in the Forth Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy and Local Flood Risk Management Plan to reduce flood risk at Grangemouth. The scheme will be promoted under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

For more information on the protection scheme, follow us on social media and check the flood protection scheme website.

Sandbags

The distribution of sandbags needs to be prioritised according to the level of threat to key infrastructure and installations within the council area.

We aim to mitigate flooding to the council area as a whole therefore decisions will be made that maximise these mitigation efforts. Key installations will therefore receive priority over individual residential/commercial properties.

Sandbags will be deployed based on the following 5 priorities:

  1. To prevent loss of life or serious injury
  2. To maintain access for emergency services
  3. To protect key community installations (ie emergency service facilities, hospitals, residential homes, etc)
  4. To protect Falkirk Council's community properties (such as schools and other public buildings)
  5. To protect individual residential or commercial properties.

It will remain, in the first instance the property occupier/owner's responsibility to protect their property through the use of sandbags and other preventative measures.

We will maintain a sandbag stock to meet emergency needs and will work closely with other agencies during a flood event. We will encourage local communities to prepare their own flood risk action plan in case of emergency.

No guarantee can be made that sandbags will be delivered within a specific timescale or that they will protect properties from flooding.

Limitations of sandbags

Sandbags are regarded a short-term and in some ways ineffective solution to flooding due to their limited lifespan, contamination risk and their large bulk and weight. Due to these health and safety concerns, care must be taken with sandbags and they must be disposed of responsibly. It is recommended that sandbags are not reused.

Sandbags will not completely prevent floodwater reaching a property and so properties should remove articles to a safe location above the anticipated flood level.

Disclaimer

The council will not be held liable for any damage caused by a failure in sand bags to prevent water entering a property.

It is the responsibility of the property occupier/owner to protect it against flooding.

Emergency evacuation

The emergency evacuation of houses will only happen in extreme circumstances.

If the police ask you to leave your home, don't argue. They will ask you to go to a place of safety. If you decide to go somewhere else, let them know so you can be accounted for.

Don't worry if you have additional support needs, the services carrying out the evacuation will make arrangements for you.

If there is time you should take along medicines, warm clothes, any special foods and personal documents. If you have pets you should take their food, baskets and leads with you.

If you have time, you should make sure that fires are out, your water, gas and electricity are switched off and your property is locked up.

Do not return to your home until it is safe to do so.

Flood Risk Management Planning

To help us manage flood risk and reduce the impacts of flooding on our communities, economy and environment, Scotland has developed its first Flood Risk Management Strategies, published by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in December 2015 and the first Local Flood Risk Management Plans, published by Lead Local Authorities in June 2016.

Edinburgh Council as Lead Local Authority for the Forth Estuary Local Plan District has published the Forth Estuary Flood Risk Management Plan and Stirling Council as Lead Local Authority for the Forth Local Plan District has published the Forth Flood Risk Management Plan.

Falkirk Council has since replaced Edinburgh Council as Lead Local Authority for the Forth Estuary Local Plan District.

To review the progress made in delivering the actions of the flood risk management plans, Falkirk Council and Stirling Council have respectively published the Forth Estuary Flood Risk Management Plan Interim Report and the Forth Flood Risk Management Interim Report.

Forth Estuary Flood Risk Management Plan Interim Report - Section 37
PDF file, 3.5 MB
Forth Estuary Local Flood Risk Management Plan – Section 38
PDF file, 3.1 MB
Forth Estuary Local Flood Risk Management Plan Cycle 2 - 2022-2028
PDF file, 7.5 MB
Strategic Surface Water Management Plan
DOCX file, 26.1 MB

To aid the process of flood risk management, each local authority is required to prepare a map which shows the locations of the relevant bodies of water and sustainable urban drainage systems in its area. This map is called the Map of Water Bodies.

Westquarter Flood Study

The Flooding Team, in partnership with our consultants AECOM, undertook a flood study to assess future flood risk of the Westquarter Burn.

The video of the first Public Information Event held on 01 December 2021 can be viewed below:

The Flooding Team, in partnership with our consultants AECOM, undertook a flood study to assess future flood risk of the Westquarter Burn.

The video of the second public exhibition held on 26 th May 2022 can be viewed below:

Bo'ness Surface Water Management Plan

The Flooding Team, in partnership with our consultants AECOM, undertook a Surface Water Management Plan in the Bo'ness area.

The video of the second public exhibition held on 31 May 2022 can be viewed below:

Useful Links