More than 35 areas reported flooding affecting property, land and roads, with 15 reports of properties being flooded.
As required under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, we, as Lead Local Flood Authority, must investigate significant flood events where multiple properties are affected. The report provides a high-level overview of the event, its causes, and key recommendations for improving flood resilience across the area. Read more about our flood investigations, including this report.
The report records and analyses the flood event, including rainfall, river levels, and community impact; identifies contributing factors such as ground saturation, surface water runoff, and drainage network performance; outlines recommendations for relevant organisations to reduce flood risk in future; supports engagement between partners and communities to improve preparedness and resilience.
This report focuses solely on Storm Henk and does not cover the separate significant flood event that occurred in September and October 2024. That event is being addressed through a dedicated Section 19 report, which will be published separately. Nor does it provide feedback from the recent Environment Agency sessions, including in Leighton Buzzard.
Since Storm Henk, we and our partners have already undertaken several works and interventions, including:
- highways drainage clearance and maintenance in key affected areas
- community engagement and flood resilience initiatives, including support for Community - Emergency Response Teams (CERTs)
- sewer inspections and network maintenance carried out by water companies
- watercourse maintenance by the Internal Drainage Board and Environment Agency
- multi-agency debriefs to identify lessons learned and improve emergency responses
- community engagement events in affected areas
We will continue working with partners to ensure flood risk management remains a priority. While this report provides a strategic overview, affected communities are encouraged to take proactive steps, such as signing up for flood alerts and considering property flood resilience measures. Read more flooding advice.
Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Councillor Adam Zerny, said:
Storm Henk caused widespread disruption, with heavy rainfall and already saturated ground leading to surface water and river flooding across multiple communities. This report provides an important record of what happened and sets out key actions for the future.
This is an important point at which to reflect upon the incredible work put in by volunteers, council officers and the emergency services, without which residents would certainly have experienced a far worse effect. We are working closely with all relevant agencies, including the Environment Agency, water companies, Internal Drainage Boards, and landowners, with whom we share a joint responsibility for flooding, to understand why these floods happened and what can be done to reduce the impact next time it happens.
To avoid unnecessary concerns about property blight, the report remains intentionally high-level, ensuring a balanced and responsible approach to flood risk reporting.