In the event of a flood
Focus on the safety of you and your family
- Put people before property.
- Cooperate with the emergency services if they tell you to evacuate during flooding.
- Be prepared to act quickly to get yourself to safety.
The Environment Agency will use the flood warning service to warn you of flooding from rivers and the sea as soon as they can. But there is some flooding that can’t be predicted.
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. Rainwater is unable to drain away and quickly builds up, causing flooding in unexpected places. The Environment Agency cannot warn you of this type of flooding.
What to do in an emergency
- Listen to and follow the advice of the emergency services
- Gather essential items together either upstairs or in a high place
- Fill jugs and saucepans with clean water
- Move your family and pets upstairs, or to a high place with a means of escape.
- turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home if it is safe to do so. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.
- Keep listening to local radio for updates or call Floodline 0845 9881188.
- Flood water can rise quickly, stay calm and reassure those around you. Call 999 if you are in danger.
Important! Flood water is dangerous.
- Avoid walking or driving through it.
- Keep children and vulnerable people away from it.
- Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch it.
Protect what you can…
Move Important items to safety and put flood protection equipment in place when there is a flood warning. Follow manufacturer instructions carefully to help stop the flood water.
Take Items upstairs or to a high point in your property
- Safely store important documents such as insurance papers.
- Move Items of personal value such as photos, family videos or treasured mementos.
- Move items of furniture that are expensive or harder to repair before cheaper ones.
If possible, move your outside belongings to higher ground.
- If the flood water hasn’t reached you, move your car to higher ground and move outdoor pets to safety.
Help Stop water entering your home.
- Put plugs in sinks and baths. Weigh them down with a sandbag, a pillowcase or plastic bag filled with garden soil or a heavy object.
If you do not have non-return valves fitted.
- Plug water inlet pipes with towels or cloths
- Disconnect any equipment that uses water. (like washing machines and dishwashers)
…But evacuate when told
Stay safe, always listen to the advice of the emergency services and evacuate when told to do so.
- Leave your home if the emergency services say so. Refusing to leave on their advice will put you, your family and those trying to help you at risk.
- When you are evacuated you will be taken to an evacuation centre run by your local council. Free food and bedding is provided. Bring spare clothing, essential medication and baby care items if you have an infant.
- Most Evacuation centres will let you bring your pets. Take their food. Put cats and small animals in a pet carrier or small box. 
- People running the centres have been trained to give you support and advice. They will help you through the stress of a flood and prepare you for what to do afterwards.
Your flood plan
A copy of the Environment Agency’s Personal Flood Plan can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
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