Floodline - 0845 988 1188
Step One - Moving into a Flood Risk Area
- Check the flood risk for the area through the Environment Agency's website (England and Wales), or SEPA (for Scotland).
- Find out what the local flood warning service for your area is by contacting Floodline: 0845 988 1188,
- Check local flood records via Floodline. Is there a history of flooding in the area? Ask neighbours if it is susceptible to flooding,
- Check access to the property - if it was flooded would you be able to get out easily?
- Is it very low-lying and therefore more vulnerable to flooding (at the bottom of a hill or on higher ground),
- Could the property be adapted easily? Power points moved up high, scope to change the flooring, remove skirting boards etc.
- Moving to a bungalow? Check your escape route in the event of a flood. Is there plenty of storage space for valuables, e.g. large loft?
- Don't underestimate the damage a flood can do. Make sure you have adequate buildings and contents insurance cover.
Step Two - What you should do before a flood
- Keep a list of useful numbers to hand e.g. your local council, the emergency services, your insurance company, Floodline 0845 988 1188 and the quick dial number for your area,
- Have a few sandbags or flood boards prepared to block doorways and airbricks. Check the Agency's website for advice on how to lay sandbags effectively,
- Make up a flood kit - including a torch, blankets, waterproof clothing, wellingtons, a portable radio, first aid kit, rubber gloves and key personal documents. Keep it upstairs, if possible,
- Talk about possible flooding with your family or those you live with. Consider writing a flood plan and store these notes with your flood kit,
- Make sure you know where to turn off your gas and electricity,
- What about your pets? Where will you move them to if a flood is on the way?
- Think about your car. Where could you move it to in the event of a flood warning?
- Get into the habit of storing valuable or sentimental personal belongings upstairs or in a high place downstairs,
- Think about medication. In the event of a flood, you'll still need to take it,
Step Three - What to do when you hear a warning - Follow the Flood Warning Codes
- Flood Watch
- Watch water levels,
- Stay alert. Keep an eye on the weather. Listen out for warnings on radio and TV,
- Check out the Environment Agency's website (for England and Wales). They update their flood warnings online 24 hours a day.
- Or ring Floodline on 0845 988 1188. This number covers England, Wales and Scotland.
- Make sure you have what you need to put your flood plan into action,
- Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly,
- Check pets and livestock,
- Reconsider travel plans,
- Be aware that the situation could worsen,
- Do as much as you can in daylight. Doing everything in the dark will be a lot harder, especially if the electricity fails.
- Flood Warning
- Move pets, vehicles, valuables, and other items to safety,
- Put sandbags or flood boards in place,
- Prepare to turn off gas and electricity,
- Be prepared to evacuate your home or business · Protect yourself, your family and others that need your help,
- Take action based on Family Flood Plan,
- Have warm clothing and wellingtons ready,
- Have medication to hand (if needed),
- Be ready to turn off gas and electricity (get help if needed),
- Check water/food stocks,
- Don't drive through floodwater.
- Severe Flood Warning
- Be prepared to lose power supplies - gas, electricity, water, telephone,
- Try to keep calm, and to reassure others - especially children,
- Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities - you may be evacuated to emergency centres,
- Protect family, pets and irreplaceable items.
Step Four - Safety first during a flood
- Flooding can kill. Don't try to walk or drive through floodwater - six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car,
- Don't walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges - they may collapse in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves,
- Take care when walking through shallow water - manhole covers may have come off and there may be other underwater hazards,
- Avoid contact with floodwater - it may be contaminated with sewage,
- Never try to swim through fast flowing water - you may get swept away or struck by an object in the water.,
- Beware of flooding at dips in the roads, bridges and low spots - turn back if the road is flooded,
- Beware of pebbles and stones being thrown up by waves - they may hit you, your car or your home.
Step Five - What to do after a flood
- Ask gas, electricity and water companies to check your supplies before turning back on,
- Take up sections of damaged floorboards, carpet, wall tiles, wet furnishings - clean off mud and contaminants, wash with disinfectant and leave them to dry outside if possible,
- Clean and dry out your property as quickly as possible to minimise damp problems,
- Check Yellow Pages under flood damage for suppliers of cleaning materials or equipment to dry out your property,
- Wash your hands with disinfectant/wear rubber gloves,
- Water supply companies advise that mains tap water should not be contaminated. Wash taps and run them for a few minutes before use. If in doubt contact your water company,
- Do not touch items that have been in contact with floodwater which may be contaminated eg food · Check external walls, roofs and drainage systems · Contact your local authority for information on how to deal with saltwater floods,
- Contact English Heritage for advice on repairs to listed buildings.
Step Six - Contact Your Insurers
- Telephone your insurance company's 24 hour emergency helpline,
- Commission immediate emergency pumping /repair work to protect your property from further damage,
- Get advice where detailed, lengthy repairs are needed,
- Check with your insurer if you have to move into alternative accommodation as the cost is normally covered under a household policy,
- Make sure your insurance company knows where to contact you if you have to move out of your home,
- Make notes to help your insurer deal with your claim including the time of flood warning; time the floodwater entered your home; maximum depth of the flood, how long the flood water was in your home, presence of any contaminants, what damage was done to building and contents,
- Photograph the damage,
- Try to keep an inventory of correspondence after the flood (e.g. letters to Local Authorities, builders, insurers and loss adjuster).
- Information provided by the Environment Agency -
Related Articles:
- Life After The Flood
- What are the flood warning codes?
- Flood Facts
- Flooding 2001
- Current flood warnings
- Environment Agency - Flooding
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency
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