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How to Report Flooding in Your Neighbourhood

Flooding isn't just an inconvenience — it damages property, disrupts transport, and creates health hazards. Reporting it quickly and accurately helps your city respond faster and build a case for long-term drainage improvements.

What to report

Report any waterlogging, street flooding, overflowing drains, or blocked storm water channels. Even minor recurring puddles that indicate a drainage failure are worth documenting — they become major problems during heavy rain.

How to report effectively

A photo that shows the water level relative to a known reference (a kerb, a car tyre, a doorstep) is far more useful than a picture of a generic puddle. If it's safe to do so, include the drain or gutter in the shot — blocked drains are often the root cause.

Why community reporting matters for flooding

Municipal drainage decisions are often based on outdated surveys. When residents report flooding events in real time on a shared map, cities get a live picture of where water infrastructure is failing. Multiple reports from the same low-lying area during one storm make a compelling case for infrastructure investment.

Report flooding in your area — start here.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report flooding in my area?

Open OpenStreetProblem, take a photo of the flooded area, and submit a report. The AI will classify it as a flooding or drainage issue and pin it on the map.

Should I report flooding even if it happens every rainy season?

Absolutely. Recurring flooding reports build a data trail that shows the problem is systemic, not a one-off. This data helps push for permanent drainage fixes.

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