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Tips on what to do when you hear a flood warning
- Listen out for warnings on radio and TV and phone Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for more information
- Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety
- Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly
- Put sandbags or flood boards in place - but make sure your property is ventilated. Plug sinks/baths and put a sandbag in the toilet bowl to prevent backflow
- Be ready to turn off gas and electricity (get help if needed). Unplug electrical items and move them upstairs if possible
- Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities - you may be evacuated to a rest centre
- Do as much as you can in daylight. Doing anything in the dark will be a lot harder, especially if the electricity fails
Stay Safe
- Floods can kill. Don't try to walk or drive through floodwater - six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car. Manhole covers may have come off and there may be other hazards you can't see
- Never try to swim through fast flowing water - you may get swept away or be struck by an object in the water
- Don't walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges if possible - they may collapse in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves. Beware of stones and pebbles being thrown up by waves
- Avoid contact with floodwater - it may be contaminated with sewage
Flood Health Advice
Make sure you and your family are prepared and know what to do should your area be flooded.
For comprehensive advice on keeping you and your family safe check out the NHS Direct website for lots of tips and advice.
Make an emergency flood plan
Develop your own Emergency Flood Plan in advance of actual flooding. Find some ideas by clicking here www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Key contacts – Who can help
The Environment Agency
In England and Wales, the Environment Agency is responsible for building, maintaining and operating flood defences and for flood warning, including issuing warnings to the public.
The Environment Agency also provides the Floodline 0845 988 1188 service. You can listen to recorded flood warning information for your area or speak to an operator for advice 24 hours a day. Floodline is also available in Scotland, co-ordinated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Local Authorities
- Work with the police, fire and rescue services and the Environment Agency to co-ordinate the response during severe flooding
- Set up rest centres for people evacuated from their homes and arrange temporary housing
- Deal with road closures caused by overflowing drains and sewers
- May provide sandbags in some parts of the country. Check the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood for a list of flood protection product retailers
The Police
- Co-ordinate the emergency services in a major flood incident and help with evacuation of people from their homes where necessary
The Fire Service
- Is responsible primarily for saving life, rescue and recovery
- May also pump out floodwater (there may be a charge for this service to householders)
Your Insurance Company
- Contact your insurance company as soon as you can – they can help advise you on what you should do and next steps
After a Flood
by The National Flood Forum
First Steps
- Call your insurance company's (24 hour) Emergency Helpline as soon as possible. They will be able to provide information on dealing with your claim, and assistance in getting things back to normal
- Keep a record of the flood damage (especially photographs or video footage) and retain correspondence with insurers after the flood
- Get advice where detailed, lengthy repairs are needed. Your insurer or loss adjuster can give advice on reputable contractors / tradesmen. Beware of bogus tradesmen and always check references
- Make sure your insurance company knows where to contact you if you have to move out of your home
- Check what damage your policy will cover
- If temporary emergency repairs are necessary, arrange these immediately and keep receipts, but also let your insurer know as they may wish to inspect the damage before permanent repairs are carried out
- If your insurance provider has a 24-hour helpline they will probably be able to give details of local trades people
- Don't throw away any damaged items, as your insurer may want to inspect them
- If you are required to complete and return a claim form, double check you have completed all the sections – and sign it – as gaps and omissions could hold up your claim
- Attach receipts for damaged goods to your claim form – but keep a copy for your own
- Always have your policy number to hand if possible when you call your insurer, as you will be asked to quote it
- Find out whether your insurance covers temporary accommodation if your home has become uninhabitable
- If you have any queries or problems, contact the person from who you bought the insurance
- If you are flooded do not use the electricity or gas, or drink tap water, until the all clear is given
Cleaning Up
- Find out where you can get help to clean up. Check with your local authority or health authority in the first instance or look under 'Flood Damage' in Yellow Pages for suppliers of cleaning materials or equipment to dry out your property. It takes a house brick about one month per inch to dry out
- Open doors and windows to ventilate the house, but take care to ensure your house and valuables are secure
- Contact your gas, electricity and water company. Have your power supplies checked before you turn them back on to make sure they have dried out. Wash taps and run them for a few minutes before use
- Don't attempt to dry out photos or papers - place them in a plastic bag, and if possible store them in the fridge
- Throw away food which may have been in contact with floodwater - it could be contaminated. Contact your local authority Environmental Health department for advice
- The Citizens Advice Bureau and other organisations may be able to help if you feel under pressure, their numbers can be found in the phone book
- Don't think it can't happen again. Restock your supplies
An advice guide to repairing and restoring flood damaged property, "After A Flood", is available from Floodline 0845 988 1188.
Emergency Cover for your Home
Following the heavy rain and storms a huge number of homes across the country are in need of urgent repairs. Registering a claim with your insurance company is one thing, but you may also need to deal with some damage straight away, whatever time of day.
If you have Emergency Cover for your home you may be entitled to a range of services offering invaluable advice and support helping you to make necessary repairs.
Emergency Cover often includes a 24 hour helpline designed to provide you with the help you need in an emergency, saving you the hassle of having to search out reputable and reliable tradesman in the middle of the night or at other unsociable times.
Types of repairs often included in such policies are;
- Domestic plumbing or drainage system if there is a likelihood of flooding
- Domestic gas or electricity supply system in the event of complete failure
- Roofing, if internal damage is likely to be caused
- External locks, doors or windows, if your home has been made insecure
- Fixed heating system if water or oil has escaped
If you think you might have Emergency Cover for your home check your insurance policy or call your insurance company for advice.
Don't Fall Victim to Bogus Builders
Due to the severity of the recent floods across the UK experienced builders and specialist tradesman will be in popular demand.
One in four of us Brits has fallen foul to the army of bogus builders and repairman causing havoc across the UK, as a result we are urging home and business owners to check credentials to avoid becoming a statistic.
If you have fallen victim to the floods follow our useful guide so that you don't fall victim to rogue workman too.
Look out for the following signs indicating that a tradesman may not be trustworthy:
- They offer you a cheap deal for cash – this is usually a way for them to avoid VAT
- They say they can start the next day. A good tradesman will usually be busy unless they are carrying out emergency repairs
- They can only be reached by mobile phone and do not provide a business address
- They are unwilling to put you in touch with past clients, who can show you examples of their work. If anything about them makes you feel wary, it is always better to be cautious
- They demand payment upfront. Never agree to pay in advance and if you're going to be paying in stages, don't make the final payment until you have inspected the work and are happy that it is satisfactory
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) provides a nine-step guide to choosing the right builder.
Start with referrals
If possible, start by getting a referral from family or friends who have recently had work done.
Ask for help from respected trade bodies
Contact your local builders association and ask for a list of registered members. The National Federation of Builders has 14 offices around the country which can provide you with a list of registered builders in your area.
Obtain estimates
Ask two or three builders for estimates in writing. Ask them to confirm whether there is any planning permission required for the work.
Ask for references and check them
Ask each builder for two or three references from previous customers. Contact these people and find out how happy they were with the work carried and the builder's conduct. If possible go and view some of the work.
Find out if the builder belongs to a respected trade body
Ensure the builder belongs to a respected trade organisation as it will have membership standards and requirements. Don't forget to make a call to make sure membership is current.
Agree the work and put it in writing
You should make an agreement or contract in writing with your builder. It should outline the work to be done, date of completion, security and safety, catering and lavatory arrangements, disposal of waste materials, hours of working and so on.
Insurance
Ask to see the builder's public liability insurance certificate. Also, the building work may affect your home and contents insurance - contact your own insurance company.
Deposits and Payment
Deposits are usually only payable where specific or custom-made materials are required or where the project will take a long time to complete. Otherwise, avoid paying deposits, and agree any payment schedule in writing.
Beware the VAT-free 'deal'
A VAT-free deal means one of two things. Either the builder does not do more than £47,000 worth of business per annum, or alternatively he is avoiding his legal tax liabilities. You need to ask yourself - Is this builder large enough to be able to complete my work, Will he be around if any of the work requires repair?, How can I have a valid contract if there is no proof of payment?
For more information on choosing the right builder and for details of the National Federation of Builders offices near you, visit their website below.
Coastal Flooding
by The National Flood Forum
Coastal flooding is caused by a combination of high tides and waves. Tides are controlled by the movements of the sun and moon. The highest tides, and therefore the highest risk of coastal flooding, take place in Spring around March 20th and in September again around 20th.
A build up of low pressure can coincide with high tides and lead to a tidal surge, which can lead to serious flooding. A major tidal surge took place in the UK in 1953 along the east coast leading to serious loss of life and damage to property.
The Environment Agency monitors tides around the UK coastline and issues warnings when there is a danger of flooding. These events can be made worse by high water in rivers and estuaries leading to the coast.
Protection from flooding along our coastline is the responsibility of the Environment Agency and Maritime District Councils. They carry out flood alleviation measures along the coast to both prevent flooding and also protect against erosion. These schemes are usually funded by DEFRA.
The Environment Agency also draws up Shoreline Management Plans and Coastal Habitat Management Plans (CHAMPS) to ensure that whatever protection measures might be needed the coastal habitat is preserved. Instead of building ever higher sea defences current policy looks for ways to manage the shoreline in a more natural way, through the use of softer measures, such as using existing sand dunes, shingle beaches and salt marshes as a form of defence.
Flooding from Sewers
by The National Flood Forum
Localised flash flooding from blocked or overloaded drainage systems can occur at times of heavy rainfall. This type of flooding is unpredictable and often occurs in unexpected locations depending on the location and intensity of rainfall.
Such drainage systems include open drainage ditches & culverts and buried drains and sewers. Where flooding occurs from foul sewers the floodwater will be contaminated with sewage. In some cases, contaminated floodwater can flow back though foul sewers causing flooding inside buildings.
More than 10,000 homes are currently at high risk (10% annual chance) of sewer flooding and government statistics put the value of assets under risk from sewer flooding at £270m.
The water companies are responsible for the foul sewerage system and the surface water sewerage system if it has been adopted. They do not have responsibility for any other watercourses or land drainage systems.
If floodwater has been contaminated a filthy layer of silt is usually left behind when the water recedes. Contamination can add to the cost of cleaning and disinfecting buildings that have been flooded and pose risks to health. Protective clothing should be worn whilst cleaning after the flood and other hygiene precautions should be taken.
Advice on health and safety precautions to be taken when restoring flooded buildings can be found on the Environment Agency's website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk or by calling their Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
General flooding can create blockages in drains and sewers that can lead to the backflow of sewage into properties through low level drain gulleys, toilets, and washing machine/dishwasher outlets. Backflow through drains is particularly likely where floodwater is prevented from entering the property using temporary barriers and where the flooding depth outside is above the internal level of the drain entry points.
This flooding can often be effectively controlled by installing non-return valves within the private sewer of a property upstream of the public sewerage system.
Further details are provided by the CIRIA publication 'Low-cost options for prevention of flooding from sewers'. Anti-flooding devices require careful installation and must be regularly maintained. Maintenance depends on the type of device fitted, but is normally required every six months.
Some properties have Private sewage systems and flooding of these systems can also create a back-up of sewage into the property. Damaged septic tanks, cesspools, or small package sewage systems should be inspected by a qualified engineer before the drainage system is used after a flood.
Localosed or Flash Flooding
by The National Flood Forum
Localised or flash flooding is usually a result of storm level torrential rain and often results in problems in urban areas. Heavy rainstorms can mean that drainage systems and sewers fill to capacity very quickly and over-top.
Flash flooding can become a big problem if the weather has been very dry for some time before a storm breaks, as the land can become baked hard and cannot absorb the rain when it comes. It can then run off the land and lead to flooding.
Flash flooding can be very localised, but can do as much damage as flooding from rivers or other watercourses.
Localised flooding can also happen following a period of prolonged rainfall when the ground becomes saturated and cannot absorb any more water so it flows off the land.
Watercourses are often culverted (meaning that previously open channels are diverted through pipes) during the building of new developments to channel water away from or even underneath buildings. These culverts can work well for many years, but can also cause flash flooding problems following rainstorms or prolonged rain as culverting dramatically reduces the capacity of a watercourse.
Flash flooding can also be made worse when the capacity of small watercourses or culverts is reduced by blockages of rubbish/fly-tipping.
Rubbish can also travel down watercourses until it reaches culverted sections and block them. To help avoid this riparian owners are encouraged to keep watercourses that run through their land clear of debris that might cause problems further downstream.
River Flooding
by The National Flood Forum
Flooding from rivers is usually the result of excessive rain entering streams and other minor watercourses and running into rivers. Rivers vary in the way they respond to excessive water depending on their capacity and available access to the floodplain.
Any watercourse that is big enough to cause significant flooding is designated by the Environment Agency as 'main river' – but this does not necessarily just mean larger rivers – smaller watercourses can also cause serious flooding.
When flood waters have access to the floodplain it allows storage of excessive water and slows down flow in a river. However when development has taken place on the floodplain this increases the risk of flooding.
Sometimes developers who are allowed to build on floodplain land are asked to contribute to the cost flood alleviation measures as part of the planning process. Flooding from rivers is usually known as the river 'going out of its bank'.
When forecasts show there is a possibility of flooding from rivers the Environment Agency issues flood warnings to householders/businesses that may be affected. However not all areas subject to possible flooding are signed up to receive flood warnings from the Environment Agency.
The annual public awareness campaign run by the EA encourages householders at risk to join the flood waning service – now known as Flood Warnings Direct. Households and businesses can now sign up to receive flood warnings via a variety of methods such as to their mobile phone or computer (available from Autumn 2006), as well as to a land line in their property.
People who own land adjacent to rivers (known as riparian owners) are responsible for the smooth passage of water through their land. They must not allow blockages in the watercourse and should remove any obstructions that appear. These can be natural blockages such as fallen trees or overgrowth on the banks or rubbish that might be dumped in the watercourse or flowed downstream from another area.
The Environment Agency has permissive powers to maintain and improve the flow of water on main rivers and it is also responsible for building and maintaining flood alleviation schemes.
If you think that your property is at risk from flooding you can sign up for the Flood Warnings Direct service by calling the Environment Agency's FloodLine on 0845 988 118.