Flooding advice: before, during and after

Flooding presents risks to individuals, their families, and property. In the UK, millions of people reside and work in areas at risk of flooding. While some are aware of their flood risk, it’s crucial to recognise that flash floods can occur unexpectedly in other areas. Preparedness is essential. The following are some practical guidelines and tips on how to be more prepared for flooding and what to do during and after a flood.

Before a flood

1. See if you're at risk of flooding in your area
2. Sign up to flood alerts
   
   • Sign up to get flood warnings if your home or business in England is at risk of flooding. The service is free.
3. Insurance
   • Check if your insurance covers you for flooding.
4. Prepare a personal flood plan.
   • A template is provided by the Environment Agency.
   • Write down important phone numbers
   • Keep important personal documents safe (e.g. insurance records) in a sealed bag in a high place (if possible) and somewhere that is easily accessible in an emergency.
   • Prepare a flood grab bag/kit
   • Think about how you could stop water entering your home. Check you know how to turn off your electricity and water.
   • Think about what to do with pets if a flood happens.
5. Protect your property
   • Visit the National Flood Forum’s website which explains how to protect your property and the typical costs involved. Sandbags can be bought from a builder’s merchant or DIY store. The National Flood Forum lists suppliers and manufacturers of flood defence products.

Further tips

• If you own property next to a watercourse, for example a river, culvert, brook, or mill stream, you must:
  • maintain riverbeds and banks
  • not obstruct the water flow
• It is encouraged that you do not pave over your garden as the material used is often impermeable which leads to increased surface water runoff, enhancing the negative effects of flooding inside or nearby your property.
• More permanent resistance products and methods can be viewed on the Homeowners guide to property flood resilience from Flood Guidance.

If you have a disability or need extra help:

• Email flooding@hounslow.gov.uk to see if you are eligible to be put on a list to receive extra help during a flood.
• Visit the Citizens Advice website can help ensure you will get support if your energy supply is impacted.

During a flood

1. Cooperate with the emergency services if they tell you to evacuate during flooding, be prepared to act quickly and get yourself to safety as a priority – call 999 if you are in danger.
2. Appliances
   • Do not touch any sources of electricity whilst standing in floodwater.
   • Turn off gas, electricity, and water at the mains
   • Unplug all electrical items and store them upstairs, on cupboards or on high shelves
   • Disconnect equipment that uses water (e.g., washing machines)
   • Leave the plug in your sinks and weigh them down so they cannot move, to stop drains from backing up
   • Fill jugs and pans with clean water
3. Valuables
   • Put valuable items upstairs, on cupboards or on high shelves
   • Move furniture upstairs or raise them up e.g., on bricks
   • Roll up carpets and rugs and put them upstairs, on cupboards or on high shelves
   • Move furniture away from walls – to help when drying your property later
   • Hang up or take down curtains to keep them above flood water
4. Outside
   • Cover doors, windows, and airbricks with plywood, flood boards, or metal sheeting
   • Move all non-fixed objects to a safe location e.g., bins, garden chemicals, gas cylinders
   • Move your vehicle to higher ground to avoid risk of damage
   • Weigh down drainage inspection chambers to prevent them drifting and leaving behind a hazardous hole.

After a flood

1. Take pictures of everything that is damaged, including tide marks on walls
2. Do not bin anything (apart from spoiled food) before it has been reviewed by a loss adjustor
3. Contact your insurer as soon as possible after a flood.
4. Remaining aware of possible hazards after a flooding incident is important, such as:

• There may be hidden dangers in the flood water like sharp objects, raised manhole covers and pollution such as sewage, chemicals, and animal waste
• Flood water could have caused structural damage to your property
• Dispose of any food that may have been in floodwater

Flooding is a stressful experience. If you need support, call 111 for crisis support services. Visit the British Red Cross flooding guidance for more information.

Report your flood to the relevant body so that action is taken if necessary, and a record is kept in case of relevance for future decisions.

Alternatively, you can email flooding@hounslow.gov.uk