Flooding refers to a situation when land, which is usually dry, is covered in water. This can be for a short period of time, such as a few hours, or over longer periods of time, such as a couple of days.
Flooding is usually linked to heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall, or snow melting rapidly. Floods can occur at any time of year, with winter months being characterised by wet and windy weather. Air is warmer in the summer months which can lead to heavier rainfall. If heavy rainfall occurs after a drought, when the is ground dry, flooding can occur as the ground cannot absorb the water fast enough.
Following heavy rainfall or fast snow melt, different Types of flooding can occur depending on the source. For Staffordshire and the Black Country, this is usually flooding from main rivers and watercourses, from surface water, from highway infrastructure, and/or from sewer infrastructure. Other types of flooding such as coastal, groundwater, and reservoir flooding are not typically a threat in Staffordshire or the Black Country.
Different organisations, or Risk Management Authorities, oversee different types of flooding. To find out more information about these organisations, please visit the Flood risk roles and responsibilities page.
