If a flood is coming

If there’s a flood warning for your area, a few steps in good time can protect what matters and keep everyone safe.

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.
• Check the flood warnings for your area and agree where everyone will go.

During

• If it’s safe to reach them, turn off the gas, electricity and water at the mains.
• Move upstairs and stay out of floodwater: it’s often deeper and faster than it looks, and may be contaminated.

After

• Don’t drink tap water until your water company or council says it’s safe.
• Take photographs of any damage before you start cleaning up.