Flood Action Week – Five key things to do during Flood Action Week


Flood Action Week – Five key things to do during Flood Action Week

Flood Action Week is a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the serious risks of flooding and empowering people to be better prepared. Flooding can be devastating, destroying homes and ruining lives. An estimated 6.3 million homes and businesses are in areas at risk of flooding. Don’t assume it won’t happen to you. Taking proactive steps can help protect your family, your home, and your most valued possessions.

Here are 5 key actions you can take during Flood Action Week:

1. Check your flood risk and sign up for flood warnings

The first and most important step is to understand your specific flood risk. Surface water (or flash) flooding is particularly common, affecting approximately 4.6 million properties in England when heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems. It can happen very quickly, so being prepared is crucial.

Visit Gov.uk website to use the “Prepare for Flooding” service and check both your long-term and five-day flood risk.

Register for free flood warnings via phone, text, or email to receive alerts about potential flooding in your area.

2. Know what to do in a flood emergency

Knowing just one or two simple actions can significantly reduce the impact of a flood on your home and family, and could even save a life.

Move items to safety: Move your most important and valuable possessions upstairs or to a secure, high-up location. Don’t wait until the last minute, as you won’t have much time to prepare once the flooding starts.

Turn off utilities: If it is safe to do so, switch off your electricity, gas, and water supplies at the mains.

Follow emergency advice: Always follow the instructions provided by the emergency services and evacuate if you are told to do so.

3. Never drive through floodwater

Driving through floodwater is extremely dangerous and is the number one cause of death during flooding.

Just 30cm of flowing water can move your car, and it’s never worth the risk to yourself or your passengers.

If you encounter a flooded road, turn around and find an alternative route. Follow any diversions put in place by authorities.

4. Consider property flood resilience (PFR) measures

By taking action in advance, you can minimize the damage to your property and belongings.

Become #BeFloodSmart and explore what PFR measures are available. These are adaptations to your property that can significantly reduce the damage caused by flooding.

The Flood Hub is an excellent resource for learning how to install and maintain your PFR measures effectively.

5. Check your insurance coverage

With millions of properties in at-risk areas, flood damage isn’t just a risk for others.

Review your home or business insurance policy to confirm that you have adequate coverage for flood damage.

Contact your insurer if you are unsure about your level of protection.

By taking these 5 steps, you can help protect yourself, your family, and your home from the devastating effects of flooding. Take action now during #FloodActionWeek.

prepare for flooding