Emergency Guide in Flood Situations

Emergency Guide

Simple steps to prepare for flooding, loss of power or loss of water.

  • Find out how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
  • Think about the needs of your children, babies, elderly and the disabled at home – and ensure they know what to do in an emergency.
  • Make sure you have the correct insurance cover.
  • Make an emergency kit
  • Keep a list of useful numbers (including your insurance, telephone and policy numbers)

If floods are forecast

  • Listen out for severe weather warnings for flash floods on local radio and TV and phone Floodline 0845 988 1188 for information.
  • Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other sentimental items and important documents to safety
  • Prepare your sandbags. In an emergency create your own with pillowcases or carrier bags filled with sand or soil.
  • Prepare food that you can eat without cooking, clean bottled water, warm clothes.
  • Charge your mobile phone.

If floods are imminent

  • Alert vulnerable neighbours.
  • Switch off gas, electricity and water at the mains.
  • Ensure sandbags or flood boards and airbrick covers are in place.
  • Plug sinks/baths or low-level shower trays and weigh them down to prevent backflow.
  • Store smaller electrical appliances and furniture as high as possible.
  • Do as much as you can in daylight. It will be much harder at night, particularly if the electricity fails.
  • In case of flash flooding, evacuate basement flats immediately and seek higher ground.

On the road

  • Avoid travel but if you must, drive slowly and cautiously.
  • You may know your local roads very well, but a flood can alter the landscape dramatically and turn a quiet road into a potential hazard.
  • Don’t drive through water if you can’t tell how deep it is. Around half a metre of water is all it takes to float many cars.
  • Aquaplaning is much more likely in flood conditions.
  • Drive considerately - keep speed below 10mph: remember your bow-wave could flood nearby homes.
  • Don’t drive down closed roads
  • 80% of flood-related deaths occur inside a vehicle. If your car stalls in the water, do not attempt to recover it - leave it and move yourself to safe ground.
  • Let someone know your travel plans.

If you have to evacuate

  • Emergency services will tell you if you have to evacuate. Follow their instructions carefully.
  • Remain calm and leave as quickly as possible.
  • Get your family and pets together.
  • Check if neighbours need help.
  • Make sure fires are out and appliances are turned off.
  • Shut all windows and lock doors.
  • Emergency accommodation will be provided at a rest centre set up for you. You can arrange to stay with family of friends, or your insurance may cover the cost of alternative accommodation.
  • If you decide to stay with family or friends let the police or your council know.
  • Do not return home unless you are told by authorities that it is safe to do so.
  • Take your emergency kit, including prescription medicines.