Flood warning advice

Be prepared for flooding

Things to do before a flood:

Find out if your home is in the floodplain. You can do this by checking the indicative floodplain map online on the 'What's in your backyard?' page at www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Check your insurance – make sure you have adequate flood protection
Know your codes – understand the flood warning system and what each warning means

Flood codes

Flood watch

Flooding is possible. Be aware, be prepared, watch out!

Flood warning

Flooding is expected. It will affect homes, businesses and main roads

Severe flood warning

Serious flooding is expected. There is imminent danger to life and property. Act now!

All clear

An 'all clear' will be issued when flood water levels start receding.

Stay tuned to your local radio to keep up to date with the situation in your area, you may need to evacuate your home, or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to get up to date flooding information. Make sure you are ready.

General advice

Get protection – there are many products available to help prevent flood water entering your property, or you can make your own, or find out where you can get sandbags when you need them.
To help choose the most effective flood protection for your home, the Environment Agency is backing the British standards Institute Kitemark scheme for products on the market. Only products that pass rigorous tests are awarded the Kitemark, which means you can use flood protection products with more confidence. The Agency has produced a guide to help you make the best decisions on flood protection
Mark your gas and electricity supplies – for locating easily when you need to turn them off
Make a checklist of things you need to do and pack. Keep this with you when a flooding warning is issued
Prepare your flood kit – see the list below and keep it somewhere accessible
Make a family plan – to be sure your family know what to do and where to be, should a warning be issued for your area
Get a copy of your local flood directory – to obtain a copy call Floodline on 0845 988 1188

Flood kit

When a Flood Warning is issued for your area, make sure your flood kit is complete and have a checklist of things to remember to do. NEVER wait until the last minute. Items you should have in your flood kit include:

Medication – make sure you have any medication with you that you need to take regularly. Remember the elderly and children and any essentials they may need with them.
First Aid Kit
Torch – with spare battery as the electricity may be cut off
Radio – wind up or battery powered. Stay in tune with your local radio station to keep a check on the weather and flood warning situation
Insurance Policy – keep it with you and keep it safe and dry in a plastic wallet
Emergency Numbers – including Local Authority, Floodline, sandbag suppliers, again in something waterproof. Your local directory will have most of this information. If you have any medical requirements, for instance if you are pregnant, be sure to list important numbers, for example, your local midwife, local health centre and local hospital
Rubber Gloves – to use if you need to touch anything that has been in contact with contaminated floodwater
Flask of warm drink – tea / coffee / soup, as you may need warm drinks in ready supply
Food – Pack food that is easy to eat, for example; chocolate, sandwiches, crisps, biscuits, etc. You could even buy in special vacuum packed survival foods and canned drinks that automatically heat up. Don't forget food for your pets too
Clothing – Wellies, waterproofs and warm clothes; you will need to have these ready for your family to wear
Blankets – To wrap up and keep warm in
A camera – To supply a record of the damage to your insurers
Mobile phone – To stay in touch with people

Things to remember when you move upstairs or to another place of safety

·Put your flood protection equipment in place, across doorways and air bricks
·Flood kit – keep it with you, it should have everything that you need
·Valuable possessions – move them upstairs or out of the way of flood water
·Possessions with sentimental value – don't forget things like record collections, wedding photos that can never be replaced
·Put on warm clothes with waterproofs over the top
·Put on your wellies
·Remember your animals (indoor and outdoor) – move animals outside tom higher ground, out of the reach of flood water and keep indoor pets with you
·Remember vulnerable neighbours and your family elsewhere – make sure they are safe Where possible pile up furniture and move electrical equipment. Tie up your curtains and roll up your carpets if you can
Turn off gas and electricity supplies
Move what you can upstairs or away from flood water
Move vehicles to higher ground
Secure and seal all your rubbish and chemicals
Again, stay tuned to your local radio to keep up to date with the situation in your area, you may need to evacuate your home, or call Floodline on 0845 988 118 to get up to date flooding information. Make sure you are ready.
Stay safe during a flood:
Never attempt to walk through a floodwater, it can hide obstacles and uncovered manholes. 15cm of fast flowing water is enough to knock you off your feet
Do not drive through floodwater. Your car could be swept away, or hidden obstacles mean that you could be stranded
Respect those people whose properties have been affected by flooding. Driving through floodwater creates waves, which can cause damage to buildings and windows
Do not handle anything that has come into contact with floodwater, or use rubber gloves as it may be contaminated with sewage
If you require special medical attention, for instance, if you are a diabetic, pregnant or require regular treatment from your local health centre or nurse, please be sure to make necessary arrangements. It is essential to gain assistance so that treatment continues, and help is available if you have to move your possessions, or if you have to evacuate

After a flood:

·Call your insurance company. Tell them what has happened and if possible take photographs of damaged items prior to disposal, as this may help your insurance claim. Check the yellow pages under Flood Damage for suppliers of cleaning materials or equipment to dry out your property

·Contact the gas, electricity and water companies. You will need to have your supplies checked before you turn them back on.

·Open the doors and windows to ventilate your home (it takes a brick about 25mm/1inch a month to dry out). Remember to unblock your airbricks and doorways, but take care to ensure your house is secure against intruders.

·Watch out for any unbroken glass or nails whilst your are cleaning up.

·Wash taps and run water for a few minutes before use. Mains tap water should not be contaminated, but check with your local water company if you are concerned.

·Do not turn on any electrical equipment until you are sure it has dried out.

·Beware of bogus traders. With so much damage it is tempting to take the first offer that comes along.

·Don't panic if you can't cope. There are organisations which may be able to help or advise such as the Fire and Rescue Services, District/Borough Councils and the Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Remember, don't think it can't happen again - restock your supplies.

This page was last updated on 19 December 2011