Flooding advice and information

If your home or business is at risk of flooding, you should make sure you have your own personal flood plan.

The Environment Agency has a guide to help with preparing a personal flood plan.

There are some actions you can take now, to make sure you're ready for a future flood.

• Store important documents safely, either higher than the flood water or protect them in polythene.
• Plan how you can stop flood water entering your property. Research different products on the National Flood Forum's Blue Pages
• Don't just rely on sandbags as they aren't always available, or the most effective method.
• Check your insurance policy covers you for flooding.
• Identify who can help you in the event of flooding - where you can go, or store possessions, when flooding is imminent.
• Similarly, identify who you can help - look out for your friends, family and neighbours, particularly those most vulnerable such as the elderly.
• If you have pets, find somewhere safe to take them before a flood.
• If you have a car, find somewhere safe to park it before a flood. If your car is already in flood water do not attempt to move it.
• Know where the stop-valves are for your water, gas and electricity so you can turn these off quickly if needed.

Flood warnings and alerts

Sign up and familiarise yourself with flood warning levels, so that you understand an event as it is unfolding.

• Sign up here to flood warnings  
• Sign up to Met Office Weather Warnings
• Check if you are at risk of flooding
• The differences between flood warnings and flood alerts is explained on Flood warning codes explained (Gov.uk website)