Tonbridge Residents Urged to Volunteer as Flood Wardens Amid Rising Flood Risks

As Storm Conall batters Kent, Tonbridge and surrounding areas are once again reminded of the increasing risk of flooding due to their proximity to the Medway and Bourne rivers. With up to 50mm of rain falling overnight, the storm has caused significant disruption, including rail suspensions, road closures, and flood warnings across multiple locations.

The Met Office warns that recent storms, including Bert and Conall, have left the ground saturated, increasing the likelihood of flooding in areas like Ashford, Herne Bay, Tenterden, and Tonbridge. In response, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is calling for volunteers to join their flood warden programme to help mitigate the risks and keep communities safe.

The Importance of Flood Wardens

Flood wardens play an essential role in protecting local communities during severe weather events. With flooding often occurring at multiple locations simultaneously, the council relies on wardens to provide real-time updates from areas that might otherwise go unmonitored.

“Even something as simple as a call reporting rising river levels can help us identify which areas are under threat,” a council spokesperson explained.

What Flood Wardens Do

Flood wardens:

• Monitor local watercourses and flood risk areas.
• Use their local knowledge to spot and report potential risks.
• Relay messages about flooding to residents in their area.
• Provide emergency services with vital on-the-ground information during a flood.

Wardens primarily observe and report and are not expected to:

• Put themselves in danger.
• Move or protect others’ property.
• Clear ditches or culverts.

Each flood warden is allocated an area that is manageable for them, such as their street or a small cluster of nearby roads.

Training & Support

All flood wardens receive training provided by the Kent Resilience Forum, which includes experts from Kent County Council, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and Kent Police. Training topics include:

• The role of the Environment Agency.
• How flood warning systems work.
• Local flood risks.
• Safety protocols and emergency planning.

This ensures wardens are fully prepared to assist their communities while staying safe.

How You you Help

With storms becoming more frequent and severe, Tonbridge urgently needs more flood wardens. Volunteering is a practical way to support your neighbours and play a vital role in flood preparedness.

To express your interest in becoming a flood warden, please contact the council via email or click the link bellow. Together, we can make Tonbridge more resilient to the challenges of flooding.

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