Flooding - What To Do

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).

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