Reducing the risks of flooding

When it comes to reducing flooding risk, forewarned is forearmed. Regularly check the websites of the agency responsible for the environment in your area, and sign up for flood alerts. Carry out a flood risk assessment so you can act quickly in an emergency. 

Planning can make your response to flooding more effective by making sure everyone knows what they should do to protect property and keep people safe. 

There are several ways to physically protect your buildings, including flood barriers, air-brick covers, and so on. Landscaping can be used to divert water away from buildings, as long as it isn’t diverted onto neighbouring properties. 

• Sign up for Flood Warnings Direct from the Environment Agency (EA) to receive warnings by phone, text, or email. SEPA and National Resources Wales offer similar alert systems. 
• Follow weather alerts on Twitter - @metofficeUK gives live weather updates across the UK.
• Get the app – National Weather Service (NOAA) Weather Radar and Alerts is a popular app that gives severe weather warnings.

If you are in a flood-risk area, you should prepare for the possibility of flooding.

Work with your community
Visit the flood support charity National Flood Forum for useful information. They work with flood action groups to support communities and households at risk of flooding.

Store essential flood equipment
Keep essentials handy, including buckets, sandbags, spades, wellies, bottled water, torches, gloves, and other protective clothing.

Have a contingency plan
A contingency plan should outline what you need to do in the event of a major incident, such as a flood. Keep emergency telephone numbers and your insurance documents to hand so you can let essential people know straight away. Note the location of service cut-off points for easy isolation.

There are several ways to protect your property against flooding, including: 

• Flood barriers - boards that can be installed across doorways and windows ahead of a flood. They usually slide into a pre-attached frame to create a watertight seal. 
• Air-brick covers - floodwater often gets into a property first through air-brick vents. A plastic cover can stop it. 
• Non-return valves - to drainage systems prevent backflow of foul water into your property.  

Only use products with the most up-to-date accreditations (see Blue Pages – The UK's Leading Independent Flood Directory) and store them in line with manufacturer guidelines.  

In addition, simple, natural approaches can also help mitigate flood risk. They include: 

• Drainage gullies - installed around your property and designed to capture surface water and divert it directly to drains. 
• Landscaping - used to divert surface water away from a building (but make sure water is not diverted onto neighbouring property). 

Get a flood risk assessment before making any significant changes to your property. 

• Safety always comes first. If you need to leave, do so quickly. 
• If flood water is about to enter your property, turn off the gas, electricity, and water. Never touch sources of electricity when there is standing flood water. 
• Move valuable items to upper floors if possible. 
• Take furniture to the upper floors. If furniture can’t be moved, lift it onto blocks or bricks to minimise damage. 
• Move cars to higher ground. 

Remember that basements will be flooded first. Flash flooding, especially from a build-up of surface water, is a real threat to properties with basement rooms.  

The BRE provides additional guidance on flood resilience. See Flood Resilient Repair House.