Saturday 26 June 2021
 Please forgive this intrusion into your weekend.
Following the severe weather we suffered last night I felt it was important to provide reassurance that Havering Council is doing all it can to help residents who have been affected by the very heavy rainfall and flooding in some areas.
I know that a number of residents have questioned on social media whether Havering Council should have been out in advance of the rain to clear drain and gullies.
Unfortunately we were not able to predict the ferocity of last night's storm. Indeed the Met Office only issued their yellow warning for rain and flooding for our area at 8.43pm by which time most of the damage had already occurred.
However, even if we had been advised hours in advance of the rain and hailstones falling, drains and gullies became blocked due to the sheer volume of water falling in a short space of time, and the debris, leaves, and litter that was then swept into them.
We are told that 40 millimetres of rain fell in an hour last night which is the heaviest rainfall in Havering since 2016.
Our officers have been out today visiting a number of residents to see the impact of the floods and to ensure their safety. As a result, we’ve had to find alternative accommodation for a number of them.
Elsewhere, our teams have been working hard to clear up the affected roads, drains and gulleys.
Gidea Park and Collier Row have been particularly affected and anyone travelling in those areas can expect some disruptions to their journeys.
We’ve acted quickly to ensure that residents get additional help and support where it’s needed.
If you have suffered any flood damage to your white goods like washing machines or fridge freezers you may be eligible for support. More details are on our website.
We will also be collecting damaged furniture, for free, but residents will need to call our out of office number to request a pick-up. See below for more details on this.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Please stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
 Gallows Corner around 8.30pm on Friday night (25 June)
If you live in an areas affected by flooding or wind damge be careful not to touch any electrical or telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging loose.
Do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened.
Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs.
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Due to a rise in the level of the water in the lake at Raphaels Park in Romford (pictured), the banks of the lake were breached and the park has been closed.
Council officers are working to pump water out and lower the water level so that the park can be opened again safely.
Please avoid the park until further notice.
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Expect traffic disruptions if you’re in the Gidea Park and Collier Row areas today as the clean-up continues following yesterday’s flash floods.
We’re appealing to residents to move their cars to allow our teams into the affected roads.
Traffic enforcement won’t be in place during the clean up, but please park sensibly.
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If you were affected by the floods and need help, please contact our out of hours emergency line on 01708 433999.
Also, if you've lost white goods you may be eligible to have them replaced. Contact our Emergency Assistance Scheme operated on behalf of Havering Council by charity DABD.
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Street cleansing is taking place around the borough and will continue through the rest of the weekend.
Council workers are targeting areas where drains and gulleys have been blocked.
In addition, a group of Havering Council's COVID-19 marshals are door knocking this afternoon in areas worst affected by the heavy rain and flooding.
The Council's waste collection contractor Serco will also be providing a number of teams on Sunday (27 June) who will be out collecting damaged goods and waste materials as a result of localised flooding.
Some rubbish and recycling collections may be delayed as a result next week, so please bear with us.
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Residents who may have had their furniture and household items damaged by last night’s flash floods can have them cleared away for free by Havering Council from early next week.
Please report any such damage or waste for collection on our out of hours number: 01708 433999.
We encourage all residents to take photographs of their waste and furniture for any insurance purposes before our teams collect it.
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Hylands Primary School in Granger Way, Romford has flooded and will be closed on Monday and Tuesday (28 and 29 June).
If we hear of any other closures then information will be provided on our social media channels.
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If you should experience flooding please stay safe.
Don't try to move through deep water.
Call 999 if you're in immediate danger.
Call our emergency line 01708 433999 for help or the Environment Agency helpline: 0345 988 1188.
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