If there is a flood warning: a checklist
Flooding is one of the disruptions where a little done in good time makes the biggest difference. If a warning comes for your area, a short checklist beats trying to think it through as the water rises.
First, get the warnings
You cannot act on a warning you never received. In England you can sign up for the Environment Agency’s free service, Get flood warnings by text, phone or email. Scotland (SEPA) and Wales (Natural Resources Wales) run their own equivalents. It takes a few minutes and means you hear early, not from a neighbour.
Before
- Move important documents, valuables and anything electrical upstairs or somewhere high.
- Keep some drinking water somewhere clean and reachable, up out of any floodwater.
- Know where and how to turn off your gas, electricity and water at the mains, and agree where everyone will go.
During
- If it is safe to reach them, turn off the gas, electricity and water at the mains.
- Move upstairs and stay out of floodwater. It is often deeper and faster than it looks, and it may be contaminated.
- Follow the advice of the emergency services.
After
- Do not drink tap water until your water company or council says it is safe.
- Take photographs of any damage before you start cleaning up, for your insurer.
- Be careful cleaning up, and give yourself time. It is tiring work.
The single highest-value step is the first one: sign up for warnings today, while it is dry and there is no rush.