PREVENTING A FLOOD
You can get up-to-date information about flooding in your area by checking the EA
website or by registering for the FREE Floodline Warnings Direct service.
Your personal flood plan
Start preparing today before a flood happens. Use this checklist as your flood plan.
1. Know who to
contact and how
• Agree where you will go and how to contact each other.
• Check with your council if pets are allowed at evacuation centres.
• Keep a list with all your important contacts to hand.
2. Think about what you
can move now
• Don’t wait for a flood.
Move items of personal value such as photo albums, family films and treasured mementos to a safe place.
3. Think about what you would want to move to safety during a flood
• Pets
• Cars
• Furniture
• Electrical equipment
• Garden pot plants and furniture
• What else?
Think about who you could ask for help / who you could offer to help,
particularly vulnerable neighbours or relatives, in a flood.
Know how to turn off your gas,
electricity and water mains supplies
4. Check your
insurance cover
• Check your buildings and contents insurance policy.
• Confirm you are covered for flooding.
• Find out if the policy replaces new for old, and if it has a limit on repairs.
• Don’t underestimate the value of your contents.
5. Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies
• Ask your supplier how to do this. • Mark taps or switches with stickers to help you remember.
6. Prepare a flood kit of essential items and
keep it handy
• Copies of your home insurance documents.
• A torch with spare batteries.
• A wind-up or battery radio.
• Warm, waterproof clothing and blankets.
• A first aid kit and prescription medication.
• Bottled water and non- perishable foods.
• Baby food and baby care items.
Useful Numbers
Your important flood telephone numbers. Fill this out and keep this leaflet with your flood kit.
| Environment Agency Floodline - 0345 988 1188 |
|---|
|
Quickdial number |
|
Local authority emergency helpline |
|
Insurance company 24-hour number and policy number |
|
Local radio station frequency for news alerts and weather updates |
|
Family and neighbours |
|
Work phone numbers |
Temporary flood protection equipment
Flood protection equipment can help stop flood water getting into your property.
Follow manufacturer instructions to put these in place when you get a flood warning.
You can get more information about flood protection equipment in the ‘prepare your property for flooding’ leaflet on the EA website.
Floodboards
These fix to frames around windows and doors. They can be washed, stored and used again. Always remove flood protection equipment once the flood water has gone. This will help your property dry out.
Plastic covers
to seal airbricks
These can stop flood water coming in through your airbricks.
Sandbags
Your local council may provide these during a flood, but they may be scarce. You can buy your own sand and bags, or fill pillowcases and plastic bags with earth. Be aware that following a flood they will be contaminated by sewage in the water.
Know your flood warning codes
FLOOD ALERT
What it means
Flooding is possible. Be prepared.
What to do
• Be prepared to act on your flood plan.
• Prepare a flood kit of essential items.
• Monitor local water levels on our website.
FLOOD WARNING
What it means
Flooding is expected. Immediate action required
What to do
• Protect yourself, your family and help others.
• Move family, pets and valuables to a safe place.
• Keep a flood kit ready.
• Turn off gas, electricity and
water supplies if safe to do so.
• Put flood protection
equipment in place.
SEVERE FLOOD WARNING
What it means
Severe flooding. Danger to life.
What to do
• Stay in a safe place with a means of escape.
• Be ready should you need
to evacuate from your home.
• Co-operate with the emergency services.
• Call 999 if you are in
immediate danger.
You need to be aware of flooding and keep an eye on the water levels and weather situation at all times.
You can do this by checking the flood forecasts and the river and sea levels on our website or by listening to local news and weather forecasts.
You can get up-to-date information about flooding in your area by checking the EA
website or by registering for the FREE Floodline Warnings Direct service.
What to do in an emergency
Follow these simple steps to stay safe:
- Check in with other people in your household – if they are not at home make sure they are somewhere safe.
- Gather essential items together either upstairs or in a high place.
- Fill jugs and saucepans with clean water.
- Move your family and pets upstairs, or to a high place with a means of escape.
- Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home if safe to do so. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.
- Keep listening to local radio for updates or call floodline 0345 988 1188
- Check in with vulnerable neighbours or relatives.
- Flood water can rise quickly, stay calm and reassure those around you. Call 999 if you are in danger.
Important!
Flood water is dangerous
• Six inches of fast-flowing water can knock over an adult and two feet of water can move a car.
- Avoid walking or driving through it.
- Keep children and vulnerable people away from it.
- Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch it.