Before a flood: Prepare in advance
Floods can strike quickly, but taking steps ahead of time can greatly reduce the impact on your home and family. By understanding your risk and putting a plan in place, you'll be better equipped to stay safe and recover more easily if flooding occurs.
Understand your risk
- Sign up for flood warnings from the Environment Agency to get alerts about potential flooding in your area to understand your local situation.
- Request a flood risk report if you've had work done to protect your home - this can help with insurance.
Make a flood plan
- Create a personal flood plan outlining what to do, where to go, and who to contact in an emergency.
- Know your drainage system and check it regularly to prevent blockages.
- Ensure your planning application includes a flood risk assessment. Read the flood risk assessment guidance on GOV.UK.
Protect your property
- Make your property more flood-resilient by using permeable surfaces and sustainable drainage systems
- Buy flood protection products from the National Flood Forum (Blue Pages), which lists independent products and services.
- Avoid using sandbags they are less effective and can quickly become contaminated. Choose specially designed flood protection products for better safety.
- If you're paving your garden, consider using permeable materials. The Royal Horticultural Society offers guidance on selecting and installing permeable paving for gardens.
Insurance
- Read GOV.UK's guidance on flood insurance to make sure you're properly covered.