What should I do when it floods?

With so much flooding seen in many parts of the country it is important you are aware of what proceedures are in place to help you recover /cope if you are faced with flooding , please see some advice issued from Defra :-

What should I do when it floods?

Advice on what to do to stay safe in a flood and clearing up afterwards.

The latest weather forecast can be found on the Met Office website:

Met Office

For the latest travel information visit the Highways Agency website:

Highways Agency

In the event of a flood it is important to focus on the safety of you and your family.

If it is about to flood, DO THESE THINGS NOW:

Tune into your local radio station on a battery or wind-up radio.
Switch off your electricity / gas supplies.
If you have a flood plan, put it into action.
Move important items to safety


You should be prepared to act quickly and get yourself to
If there's time, fit any flood protection products you might have such as:

Flood boards
Airbrick covers
Sandbags or alternative barriers
Toilet bungs (only needed for downstairs toilets)
Any other flood product

If you need sandbags in an emergency, please contact your local authority to see if they can help. Details of your local authority can be found on Direct.gov.uk. The Environment Agency is unable to supply sandbags to individuals but do sometimes help local partners distribute them where available. If needed, you may also be able to buy a supply of bags and sand from DIY stores and local builders merchants. safety. Put the safety of people first and listen to advice from the Police and the Emergency Services. Remember that their concern is for your safety.
Stay alert to localised flooding

Also known as 'surface water flooding'. This usually happens where drainage systems are unable to cope with heavy spells of rainfall. We cannot give you a direct warning for this type of flooding.

Instead we forecast where it might be a problem in certain counties and put a daily flood risk forecast on our website. You can also find out about the possibility of 'surface water' flooding in your area by checking local weather forecasts.
Floodwater is dangerous

Six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over.
Two feet of water will float your car.
Flooding can cause manhole covers to come off, leaving hidden dangers.
Don't walk or drive through flood water.
Don't let children play in flood water.
Don't walk on sea defences or riverbanks.
When water levels are high be aware that bridges may be dangerous to walk or drive over.
Culverts are dangerous when flooded.
Look out for other hazards such as fallen power lines and trees.
Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch floodwater as it may be contaminated.

See more information on the following link :- Environment Agency