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Protecting your home
Around 5 million people, in 2 million properties, live in flood risk areas in England and Wales. The Insurance industry has an important role in warning people about the risk of flooding, and working with Government and local authorities to help put families, businesses and communities back to normal as quickly as possible.
How do I find out if I'm at risk of flooding
by The National Flood Forum
So that you can best prepare for the possibility of flooding it's a good idea to find out whether your home or business is at risk. If you have been flooded before you know that your home or business is at risk, but with numbers of flood events on the increase, it is worth checking whether you are in a 'high risk' area.
You can do this by looking at the Environment Agency flood map on the web site: www.environment-agency.gov.uk. If you don't have access to the internet, your local library will do. Help is often available from library staff who know how to use computers. The Flood Map provides information on flooding from rivers and the sea in England and Wales. It also has information on some of the areas benefiting from flood defences.
It is intended only as a guide - it is not designed to be accurate at the individual property level. It's aim is to increase awareness among the public, local authorities and other organisations of the likelihood of flooding, and to encourage people living and working in flood prone areas to find out more and take appropriate action.
Log on and find out more!
Once logged onto the Environment Agency site, click once on 'Do you live in an area at risk of flooding', then type in the postcode of your property into the section marked 'flood map' and the system will display a map covering your area.
Now click once on the 'learn more' box to find out more information. To find out what level of risk your property might be at click once on the map at the point you are interested in and the level of risk will be displayed – low, moderate or significant.
This means
Significant: the chance of flooding in any year is greater than 1.3% (1 in 75).
Moderate: the chance of flooding in any year is 1.3% (1 in 75) or less, but greater than 0.5% (1 in 200).
Low: the chance of flooding in any year is 0.5% (1 in 200) or less The lower the percentage then the less chance there is of flooding in any one year; the higher the percentage then the more chance there is of flooding in any one year.
Will the map be updated?
As new information becomes available, it will be included in quarterly updates to the published Flood Map. These updates take place in January, April, July and October. Flood defences not yet shown will also be gradually added.
What to do if you don't agree with data on the flood map
If you believe that a particular property is not at flood risk, or if you have information that you believe may not have been taken into account, please contact your local Environment Agency office. They will consider your comments and will advise you on what to do.
What the map doesn't show
The Flood Map does not provide information on flood depth, speed or volume of flow. It doesn't show flooding from other sources, such as groundwater, direct runoff from fields, or overflowing sewers.
Your local Environment Agency office may have more information on these issues.
Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Floodline is a 24-hour telephone information service operated by the Environment Agency in England and Wales and by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland. All calls are charged at local rate.
Floodline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It provides recorded messages that contain information about any flood warnings that are in force in England, Wales and Scotland. It also offers immediate practical advice on flood risk and what to do before, during and after a flood. You can also report flood emergencies to Floodline operators.
Useful information
For those at risk from flooding the Environment Agency publish a range of useful guides offering advice on what to do next, how to help protect your property from flooding, how to deal with a flood should it happen and what to do afterwards.
A special guide is available for the elderly and advice for businesses at risk is available on the website. To obtain hard copies of these information leaflets contact Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
The National Flood Forum offers advice and information on all types of flooding, from main rivers, local watercourses, sewers, storm water and highway drains, tidal and coastal flooding, groundwater, to run-off from urban areas or agricultural land.
The National Flood Forum offer free advice to individuals or groups on flood protection products, specialist help, and advice on insurance issues.
Get a flood warning
If you think you're at risk, call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to find out if you can register for Floodline Warnings Direct. It is a free service that provides flood warnings direct to you by telephone, mobile, fax or pager. You will also receive practical advice on preparing for a flood, and what to do if one happens.
What preparation can I make to protect myself from flooding
by The National Flood Forum
Flood warnings in force – to find out more about current flood warnings in force throughout the country click here www.environment-agency.co.uk
The reality of having your home flooded is difficult to understand unless you have been through the experience – you can face months away from home while it is restored. The prospect of throwing away the downstairs contents of your home and an immense amount of disruption to normal family life.
The emotional impact can be equally devastating. Coping with the unfamiliar tasks of sorting out the restoration of your home whilst living in temporary accommodation, plus worrying about the possible impact on house prices and the risk of future flooding all add to the stress of the situation.
Having your home or business flooded is an appalling experience, but the distress and disruption can be limited if you are prepared. Having a plan can help – knowing who is going to do what and where to turn for help can really calm the crisis.
Useful tips
- Make a list of useful telephone numbers – the claims dept of your insurance company, gas, electric, local authority etc, your landlord if applicable and keep it in a safe place - preferably upstairs
- Make a list of vital items you will need should you be flooded – some warm clothes, essential toiletries, any medication etc. In the same way as expectant mothers are encouraged to 'pack a bag' ready for going into hospital, consider packing a 'flood bag'; include a torch and a battery operated radio
- Make sure you know how to switch off gas, electric and water supplies at the mains – even in the dark
- Unplug all electrical items and where possible store them up high or upstairs. With heavy electrical items such as fridges raise them up on bricks
- Try to enlist some helpful (and preferably strong!) friends to help you move your furniture upstairs
- Check whether you can get your settee upstairs. If you can't, consider buying some huge strong plastic bags to wrap it in and allow it to float. Depending on how long the water is in your home that may well save it from damage
- Work out where you can move your car to if there's a flood
- Make plans to evacuate the family – where will you go? Can children go to friends or relatives? Keep a number for a local hotel/B&B with your contact list – your insurance should cover the cost of an emergency stay
- Make plans for family pets – have a number for a kennel/cattery/vet or friends who may look after them for you
- Have flood protection products such as airbrick covers / door gates available if they are appropriate to your property. Have the number of your local council available so that you can contact them to provide sandbags if they are needed
- Draw up a family flood plan and make sure everyone knows what to do should your home be flooded. Older children can be given responsibilities such as moving their prize possessions upstairs
- Having arrangements in place to evacuate younger children and/or elderly members of the family to relatives or friends is a good idea as flooding can be very distressing for them
Outside the house
- If you have small pets in the garden (rabbits/guinea pigs etc.) plan where you can move them to safety
- Consider having the exterior walls of your home coated with waterproofing treatment – it might keep the water out in some circumstances
- Do some basic maintenance checks outside - make sure the mortar condition and won't let water through. Also check that the access points for pipes (such as washing machines etc,) don't have gaps around that could let water in
- Invest in some sandbags as these make a good temporary defence in some circumstances. Or buy some 'modern day sand-bags' – expandable plastic ones are available. For further details see the National Flood Forum website: www.floodforum.org.uk
Avoid contact with floodwater as it may be contaminated with sewage.
- Contact friends, relatives, your employer and children's schools by mobile phone to let them know what has happened. People are usually very understanding as they realise what a dreadful experience flooding is
- If you have to move to a B&B or hotel as a temporary measure try and arrange this as quickly as possible – if a lot of families are flooded in your area it might be difficult to find accommodation
- Make plans as to where you are going to stay whilst repairs are being carried out to your home – do this quite quickly as if a lot of people have been flooded in your area it may be difficult to find temporary accommodation
- Contact your insurance company and tell them what has happened. Get them to send a loss adjuster as soon as possible. Tell your landlord if applicable
- If you have elderly or disabled neighbours try to find out if they are safe – if you are really worried contact the emergency services
- If you have pets make arrangements for them to be boarded out with friends or family, kennels or cattery. Some pet shops also offer boarding for small animals
You are just about to flood – help
by The National Flood Forum
You've had a flood warning and things look bleak – your home is about to flood. Despite a growing sense of panic, try to keep calm! There are things you can do now to try and minimise the damage to your property, to make the process of clearing up and sorting everything out after the floodwaters go a bit easier.
If you have a flood plan for your family have a quick look and make sure that you have done everything you can to prepare:
- Open doors and windows and smear the frame with silicone sealant, then shut and lock them to provide a watertight joint. For floods deeper than a metre, you should allow water to enter the property to prevent any structural damage that could be caused by a build up of water outside
- If you have flood protection measures such as air-brick covers and door guards make sure you get them in place in plenty of time – they can under some circumstances (usually when the water rises and falls quite quickly in your area) make the difference between having floodwater in your house or not. Practise fitting these devices in advance so that you aren't struggling with instructions at the last minute
- if you haven't bought any flood protection products see if you can cover windows, doors and airbricks with plywood, sandbags or metal sheeting. The Environment Agency has a practical guide to doing this at www.environment-agency.gov.uk
- Have you moved as many possessions as you can upstairs? Try to move valuable and valued things (family mementoes, heirlooms etc.) upstairs if possible. Get everyone involved in helping – even children can take their toys upstairs for safekeeping
- Move anything not fixed down such as dustbins and garden furniture to a safer location
- Are provisions for surviving the first few hours of the flood in place upstairs? Remember warm clothes (you will have no heating and flood water is freezing cold), wellingtons, torches, battery operated radio, fully charged mobile phone, food & hot drinks (make these before you switch the power off!) any medication needed by your family, pet food (if you aren't able to get your pets to another place prior to the flood), essential toiletries, rubber gloves, first aid kit
- Make sure you have a list of useful numbers upstairs (or at least a telephone directory). These should include your insurers, numbers for somewhere to stay during the flood (family, friends, B&B, hotel, - if you are insured your insurers should pay for this – check your policy to make sure you are covered), kennels/ cattery/petshop (if you need to make provision for pets)
- Turn off gas & electricity supplies – if you do get flooded do not attempt to put these on again until they have been checked by an expert – water may have got into the system and this could be dangerous
- Think about your car – is it in danger of being flooded too? If so move it to higher ground
What you can do during a flood
Make sure you stay safe during the flood itself.
- Don't try and walk or drive through floodwater – six inches of fast flowing water can knock you off your feet and two feet of water will float your car. Manhole overs may have come off and there may be other hazards you can't see
- Don't walk on sea defences, river banks or cross bridges as they may collapse or you could be swept off by a large wave
What you can do to protect your home in future
by The National Flood Forum
After the Flood
Once the shock of being flooded has subsided along with the water, it is time to clear up the mess and get the house habitable. There are a whole range of measures that can be taken to reduce the impact of the next flood should it happens and now is the time to think about these.
Flood defences fall into two categories – 'flood resilience' and 'flood resistance'. Making a house flood resilient will reduce the amount of damage caused by any water that gets into the house. Flood resistance meanwhile is concerned with stopping the water getting into the property in the first place.
Making flood resistant alterations to your home will cost more than just restoring it to its previous state, but it is money well spent – especially if your property is at high risk of flooding again. In future floods these measures can speed up the drying out time and get you back home quicker. They will also reduce the cost of future repairs.
You can install these measures at any time, but if you are installing them as part of the restoration costs after a flood you will probably find that you will be expected to pay the extra cost of the alterations while your insurer pays the cost of the like-for-like repairs.
Making changes
Before you start making changes get advice from a specialist flood surveyor. Contact the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Flood Protection Association for a surveyor in the area. They can carry out a comprehensive flood assessment and make recommendations for the most appropriate flood defences for your particular property.
If you are installing changes as part of a restoration following a flood some of the measures may be a little more expensive than returning the house to its previous state. For example fitting plug sockets, boilers and service meters higher on walls - above previous flood levels – should cost little more than restoring them where they were before.
Others will cost more but will often pay for themselves after a single flood.
Consider:
- Timber floors above solid concrete. Wood and tile floors with rugs that can be moved will suffer less damage in a flood than a fitted carpet
- Replace chipboard kitchen and bathroom units with plastic or solid wood. Or raise cupboards up on stilts so that water can flow beneath them
- Fit water resistant door and window frames
- Install non-return valves in drainage pipes to prevent sewage backing up into the house
- Replace usual plaster with a more water resistant version such as lime plaster or cement render
- Always use waterproof sealant on external walls and water resistant paint on internal walls
- Buy airbricks with removable covers – put them on during the flood but remember to remove afterwards to help the drying out process
Flood defence
You can also buy a number of ready-made flood defences to minimise damage. Products with a Kitemark are supported by the Environment Agency – as these have been tested and found fit for the job.
Many of these flood products such as window and door boards are attached only when there is a risk of flooding. The Environment Agency www.environment-agency.gov.uk)or Floodline 0845 988 1188 will be able to give further information about these products as will the National Flood Forum (www.floodforum.org.uk).
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) the typical cost of protecting a home from flash floods with these products is between £2,000-£6,000 and protecting a larger home from more prolonged flooding is estimated to cost £20,000-£40,000.
But the cost of flood damage to properties with these products could be reduced by as much as 80%.
Severe flooding is defined as when the floodwater is more than a metre high. Then you may cause more harm than good keeping the water out as the force may cause structural damage to the building itself.
It also depends on why your home is flooded and the type of soil it is built on. For example if it is on porous soil such as chalk then the water will rise up from the ground into the ground floor so flood defences may be worthless.
Contact your local authority or Floodline for information about the type of flooding the property has experienced, such as the water height, cause of flooding and frequency. Once these factors are known you can decide on which are the best types of flood defences.
Remember to seek professional advice before deciding which products are suitable for your home.