Preparing for a flood
Flooding can have a harmful effect on your health, home or business. By putting some safeguards and planning in place, you can help reduce the risk of flooding and its impact on you.
Checking risks of flooding
You can get flood updates in local news, weather and traffic bulletins.
You can use flood maps to see if your property is at risk from flooding:
You can also get weather information and find out when severe weather warnings are given.
Reduce the impact of flooding
To reduce the impact of flooding on your home or business:
- keep a list of useful contact numbers such as your local council, emergency services and your insurance company
- agree how you and the people you live with will contact each other and where you will go if you become separated during a flood
- move your valuable belongings to safety
- know where to turn off your electricity or gas supply
- make sure your insurance provides cover against flood damage to property
- if your property is at risk of flooding, have some sandbags or floodboards or plastic covers prepared to block doorways and airbricks
- consider where to relocate your car when a flooding incident is possible
Prepare an emergency flood kit with essential items that will help you cope in a flood, including:
- copies of your home insurance documents
- a torch with spare batteries
- a battery powered or wind-up radio
- warm, waterproof clothing, rubber boots and blankets
- a first aid kit and supplies of medication needed by anyone in the house
- bottled water and tinned or dried food
- things for looking after your baby
- essential medicines
Contacting utility suppliers
If your home is flooded, contact your utility suppliers.
Reducing the risk of flooding
Householders and landowners can take action to prevent the risk of flooding. It is important to:
- maintain all drains within your property
- clean private gullies, especially in autumn when fallen leaves can cause temporary blockages
You must not dump waste or any material in urban waterways as this can cause blockages and flooding.