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People and communities

Preparing for flooding

The River Ouse, River Foss and River Derwent pose a flood risk in York during and after periods of heavy rainfall.


How to prepare for possible flooding

You can prepare for possible flooding in a number of ways:

Get further advice about protecting homes and businesses from flooding from Yorkshire Flood Resilience.

The Environment Agency's flood information service is updated regularly; their current flood warning is refreshed every 10 minutes:

Find out what flood warning symbols mean.


How we prepare for flooding in York

In partnership with the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, we have well established plans for the protection of the city of York, its people and premises when the River Ouse, River Foss or River Derwent pose a flood risk.

Our flooding action plans are triggered by Met Office weather warnings and forecasts.

We are a lead local flood authority and are responsible for flood risk management in York. We are required to develop, implement and monitor a strategy for local flood risk management.

York Flood Alleviation Scheme

The York Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) is a partnership project with the Environment Agency to carry out major flood defence upgrades within the city. The project focuses on 10 communities alongside the River Ouse and the River Foss and their tributaries, where there is a risk of flooding. New or improved defences are proposed in areas which meet cost benefit rules, as part of our plan to better protect 2,000 properties in York by 2021.


Also see

icon of a measuring ruler next to water levels

Find information on river levels, flood warnings, travel and supporting vulnerable people during floods.

What to do during flooding
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Support for residents and businesses who have been affected by flooding.

What to do after a flood