Before a flood
Being prepared for potential flooding is an important element of being flood resilient as it leads to approaches to use PFR measures. It’s about understanding the risk of flooding, now and for the future, people signing up to free flood warnings and knowing their flood risk is as well as having a flood plan should flooding be likely. Maintaining PFR measures and knowing how to install them will also help people prepare for any future flooding as well.
Millions of properties in the UK are susceptible to flooding. Becoming more resilient to flooding starts with understanding the flood risk for a property and identifying the possible causes of flooding – rivers and the sea, surface water, reservoirs or groundwater.
There are free online resources for people to find out flood risks searchable by postcode. Flood maps, categorising areas into different flood zones based on the risk of flooding are also available. These flood maps show the likelihood of each type of flooding and could be useful for people buying a house, or wanting more detail on the flood risks for an area.
Finding out the potential level of risk allows people to decide on the need for PFR and other property adaptations.
These warnings should enable people to plan ahead for flooding and be used together with a flood plan.
There are also websites that enable people to check existing flood warnings, and in some areas five day flood risk summaries are available. This information can be found for England, Scotland and Wales.
The Met Office has a responsibility for providing weather warnings for the UK and issues severe weather warnings. Warnings are issued through the National Severe Weather Warning services available here.
Rain, river levels and sea levels are monitored, which allows public bodies in England, Scotland and Wales to forecast floods and publish flood alerts or warnings. Flood alerts and warnings can be received directly, or Floodline 0345 988 1188 can be called.
Local news on the radio, or TV may also relay information on flood warnings.
Flood warnings are available here:
Flood plans can be developed by communities, building managers, businesses and individual households.
A personal flood plan is useful if someone lives in an area at risk of flooding. It is a document prepared in advance of flooding and updated regularly.
It ensures that when a flood alert or warning is received people in the property know what to do, before, during and after a flood. It helps protect people, valuables and limits potential damage. The Environment Agency has created a flood plan template that can be found here.
The Flood Hub developed a useful household flood planning guide, that whilst specific to England, (particularly the north west) it still provides useful guidance and can be found here.
Some local authorities keep record of people who may need additional help at time of an emergency or a flood. The contact details for local councils can be found here here.
An emergency flood kit is a waterproof (grab) bag or box which contains all the items needed during and after a flood.
The kit should include some essential items like:
Details of insurers and other important documents, passports, ID
Flood plan, tools for fitting PFR, a copy of the PFR handover plan
Torches, mobile phones, spare batteries, chargers/power banks
Prescription medication, forms
First aid kit and antibacterial wipes or hand sanitiser
Spare house and car keys
Notebook and pencil/pen
If there are children in the property it may be worth considering what else may be required, like:
Natural Resources Wales has pulled together a list of essential and useful items that could be included in a flood kit.
Insurance protects people’s properties and contents. It normally covers damages to homes and businesses caused by unexpected events such as a fire, storm or flood. Building insurance is usually required by mortgage providers and other lenders for properties that have been used to secure a loan.
If a property is flooded, buildings insurance can cover the costs of drying out, repairing the property and its fixtures and fittings.
It also covers the costs for clean-up, professional fees (e.g. legal fees, surveyors and builders) and other charges incurred as a result of flood damage. Some buildings insurance policies cover the cost of alternative accommodation required during recovery.
Contents insurance cover the costs of repair or replacement of damaged appliances, furniture or equipment. Policies for businesses may also cover business interruption.
People whose properties have been flooded in the past, or live in areas at high flood risk can find it challenging to access affordable flood insurance.
Provided by the Association of British Insurers (ABI)
1
Shop around for quotes
At least three companies should be contacted for comparison. Price comparison websites may not be the best place to buy insurance (lack detail of offers or coverage).
Companies should be contacted directly, or through an insurance broker (see British Insurers Brokers’ Association (BIBA) to find the right policy.
2
Check whether the insurer can take PFR surveys into account
Check whether the insurer can take PFR surveys into account when deciding whether they can insure a property and consider installing appropriate PFR measures.
Click here for more information on understanding the flood risk.
3
Visit the flood Insurance Directory
A Flood Insurance Directory has also been developed by BIBA, the ABI and Flood Re to help find a suitable insurer.
4
Contact the National Flood Forum
Contact the National Flood Forum, or the Scottish Flood Forum - they are charities that support those at risk of flooding.
In some locations, particularly those impacted by previous flooding local support may be available. Support could be available from:
Further information on local support should be available from the local authority website, or the National Flood Forum and Scottish Flood Forum.
There are three main steps to ensure safety during/following a flood. Flood water can rise fast so if in danger, or concerned about others call 999 first. Prioritise people over property and stay safe. Follow the instructions of the emergency services and those organisations managing the flood response.
