Flooding – What to do
Before a Flood
Parish Councils and local residents can play an important role in managing flood risk at the community level. Areas at risk (live flood update here) should prepare community flood plans and residents can ensure each household has its own flood plan. Individuals can also help by getting involved with local Flood Warden schemes, as well as gathering information on flooding by reporting any flood incidents in their area. Communities and Parish Councils can also raise additional funding for local flood resilience and defence measures, and for undertaking regular maintenance.
Work with your local authority to address the flood risks in your area
– Welland: Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland Prepared
– Witham: Lincolnshire Resilience Forum
Prepare a Community Flood Plan
During a Flood
- Before flood water enters your home, close and lock downstairs windows. Keep your keys safe and move upstairs
- Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies to your property if it is safe to do so. DO NOT touch electric switches if you are standing in water. If you have them, use flood protection products such as flood barriers and/or air brick covers
- Move your family, vehicles and pets to a safe place
- Monitor the situation from your local radio station or via Floodline on 0345 988 1188 (Textphone 0345 602 6340)
- Stay in your property if safe to do so until either the emergency services tell you or when flood water has subsided
- If you have to evacuate, grab a prepared bag with warm clothes, torch, mobile phone and charger, any medication you may need, important documents and a first aid kit. Secure your property and find somewhere safe to stay (family, friends, local authority shelter)
- Alert your neighbours and be aware of anybody who may be less mobile and/or need help with, for example, small children
- Do not walk or drive through flood water. Take care to avoid hidden holes, obstacles and other hazards
- If you come into contact with flood water, wash any exposed body parts with cooled boiled water before handling food or tending any wounds
After a Flood
- If you rent your home your landlord is responsible for any work required to repair flood damage
- Contact your insurer to start a claim – if you do not have insurance you will need to pay for any temporary housing and repairs yourself. Your local Council and charities will advise whether there is any emergency support available
- Before you begin the clean up, take photos of any damage and the flood water line. Check with your insurer what you can and cannot throw away
- Care should be taken as flood water may contain sewage, hide rubbish and leave behind wreckage, uneven roads and pavements, broken or missing drain and manhole covers
- If the residual mess isn’t contaminated with sewage or chemicals, it can be put in household bins for collection. Extra skips and rubbish collections may also be available
- If contaminated, contact the Environmental Health Department at your local Council
- Stay healthy!
- Do not use tap water if you notice any change in colour, taste or odour
- Do not eat food that has been contaminated by flood water
- Dispose of any food in the fridge if the electricity has been off for more than four hours
- Dispose of food from the freezer if the electricity has been off for more than 24 hours
- Funding may be available for local flood resilience and defence measures or regular preventive maintenance. This may be variable depending upon Council and Government support.
