What to do if flooding occurs

What to do if flooding occurs

If it’s a flooding emergency, you should focus on the safety of yourself and your family. Dial 999 or 112 if it is an emergency and you or someone else is in danger. 

If there is flooding to your property, make sure you stay safe.

Certain areas have floodwater sirens.

Floods near you

If there’s a flood happening near you:

• before flood water enters your home, close and lock downstairs windows and doors. Keep the keys safely to hand and move upstairs
• continue to listen to situation updates from your local radio station and via Floodline on 0345 988 1188
• stay in your property if safe to do so or until either the emergency services tell you otherwise or the floodwater has gone
• do not walk through floodwater. If it is necessary to walk through shallow water, take care for hidden holes, obstacles, and other hazards
• if you come into contact with floodwater, make sure you wash any exposed body parts with bottled or cool boiled water before handling food or looking after wounds

Evacuation

If you need to be evacuated:

• stay calm and don’t panic. Police, Fire and Rescue and other officials will try to visit all properties at risk or use a loud hailer to tell you if an evacuation needs to take place
• you will hear about your evacuation point and the location of the reception centre either verbally or by a leaflet
• try to check that any elderly or vulnerable family members or neighbours know about the evacuation
• listen to the advice of the authorities and follow any instructions to leave your property. Remember to take your grab bag
• on leaving, before water enters your property, ensure electric and gas supplies are turned off and lock doors and windows

Last updated 22 May 2023