Storm Babet: Flood avoidance advice issued by water company

Anglian Water said "one of the best ways to reduce the risk of flooding is to keep drains and sewers clear"

A water company has issued advice to customers on how to avoid flooding ahead of the arrival of Storm Babet.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning from midnight tonight for the East of England.

Anglian Water has advised people to unblock garden drains and empty water butts to prevent the first rainwater going straight into the sewer.

The company also issued guidance on what customers should do if they experience sewer flooding.

The company also asked residents to check drains on the road outside their homes and clear them if possible

It said customers should ring its 24-hour helpline 03457 145 145 and it will aim to attend internal floods within two hours of it being reported.

However, "one of the best ways to reduce the risk of flooding is to keep drains and sewers clear" with some "quick, easy and free checks", it added.

• Warnings increased as Storm Babet batters England

• Storm Babet: When and where will it hit?

Storm Babet is the second named storm of the autumn and has led to a rare red weather warning being issued in parts of Scotland.

In the East of England, the Met Office expects the storm to land from early Friday morning, with persistent and, at times, heavy rain to lead to some disruption.

Strong easterly winds are also expected to affect coastal parts of eastern England through Friday and Saturday.

Anglian Water supplies drinking water to 4.3m people in all or parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk.

It also collects used water from more than 6 million customers.