Flooding

Many homes in England are at risk of flooding.

You can help to protect yourself, your home and your community by taking three simple steps.

Visit the Environment Agency: Floods destroy web pages where you can: 

• check your postcode and find out if you are at risk of flooding
• sign-up for free flood warnings
• view and save the three point flood plan so you know how to Prepare. Act. Survive in a flood

Insurance

Check your level of insurance cover by asking your insurer the following questions:

• Is my property insured against flood damage?
• Does my cover provide me with temporary accommodation?
• Will any necessary clean up or repairs to my property be taken care of?
• How much compensation will I receive to cover any damages to my property and contents?

Valuable items

Store important documents in waterproof containers or sealed plastic bags and put them at the highest part of the property. Valuable documents may include:

• Birth certificates
• Passports
• Financial papers
• Photos
• Pension books
• Benefit books
• Insurance details

Household appliances

• Find out how to turn off your gas and electricity from the mains
• Electrical appliances which can be lifted should be unplugged and moved to the safest and highest part of the property
• Large appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, cookers, fridges, freezers that are too heavy to move should be unplugged and disconnected from their pipe work and raised off the floor using bricks and blocks
• Large appliances should be kept away from walls. This will speed up the drying out process after a flood has occurred

Furniture

• Roll up any small carpets or rugs and place at the highest part of the property
• Empty out the contents of any furniture that cannot be moved and place the contents high up
• Raise any furniture that cannot be moved using bricks or blocks
• Weigh down any items that cannot be raised as this will prevent any movement in the floodwater

Outside your property

• Ladders, garden furniture and any other items that could become damaged or float away should be secured down
• Animals should be brought indoors or if you're property is being evacuated, animals should be prepared so that they can be removed quickly
• Move vehicles to higher land where possible

Emergency flood pack

Prepare an emergency flood pack containing items that you might need should a flood occur. The flood pack should be stored in a place that is safe, easy to reach and should include:

• A list of useful phone numbers
• Home and car keys
• Mobile telephone
• A torch and spare batteries
• Blankets and warm clothing
• Waterproof clothing, including rubber gloves
• A first aid kit, including sanitary supplies and any prescribed medication
• Portable radio with spare batteries