How Rural Councils Are Preparing For Flooding

From volunteer flood watchers to groundwater alerts, a new collection of case studies shows how parish and town councils are helping rural communities prepare for flooding.

Published by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), the document shares experiences from five councils as part of the Rural Flood Resilience Partnership.

In Alcester, trained volunteers monitor drains, rivers and bridge obstructions, reporting potential problems to the relevant agencies. In Heighington, a community emergency plan and groundwater monitoring are helping residents prepare. Great Alne’s experience highlights how evidence of drainage problems can help secure action from responsible organisations.

The case studies explore the challenges councils faced, how residents were involved and the partnerships and funding that supported their work. A common lesson is that local knowledge, clear communication and sustained collaboration are essential to improving flood resilience.

With the wetter months approaching, the publication offers practical ideas for councils and communities reviewing their own preparedness.

A further five case studies are due by March 2027.