Current Flooding Situation in the
Flooding can pose a serious hazard to lives and property. By taking simple precautions
you can minimise the damage caused by flooding. The Environment Agency ‘Floodline’ service offers flood
warnings for England and Wales. The
Floodline service can be accessed day or night
for real time flood warnings and advice on:
FLOODLINE 0845
988 1188
To report problems regarding Local Roads
please use
ROADLINE 0800 62 62 03
SANDBAGS
Sandbags are provided by your
Local District Council.
Each
have their own policy in respect to providing sandbags, which is reviewed periodically.
To
go to your appropriate district council website for contact information -
Local
Government in LeicestershireBritish Red Cross -
Flood AppealThe
British Red Cross has launched an appeal in support of the communities affected by recent floods throughout
the UK. Please click on the link for further details on how to give.
Environment Agency Advice
The Environment Agency also offers practical advice for coping with floods, and
minimising the damage that flood water can cause. Such as
- Am I at risk of flooding
- Flood Preparation for Businesses
- Flooding a guide for Older People
- Flood warnings in force
- Prepare for flooding
- Online flood library
In addition to the measures below,
a range of practical hints and tips relating to what to do before, during and after a flood are provided
by the Environment Agency. For more information call the Agency's 'Floodline' or check their
Environmental
Agency website.The Environment Agency’s three steps to take to prepare for flooding:
- Visit the Environment Agency website or call our 24 hour Floodline on 0845
988 1188 to find out if you are at risk of flooding
- Find out if flood warnings are available in your area
- Make sure you understand the flood warning codes so you know what to do when a flood warning
is issued
If floods are imminent, people must:
- Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities - you may be evacuated
- Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains.
- Find out where these are well in advance of any flood
- Put plugs into sinks and weigh them down with something heavy
- Move sentimental items like photographs upstairs and think about storing them more safely
in future in case you forget or don’t have time to move them during a flood
- Move as many possessions upstairs as you can
Simple ways to protect your home from flooding
Gas, electricity and water
- Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains. Find out where
these are well in advance of any flood
- Unplug all electrical items and store upstairs or as high up as possible
- Put plugs into sinks and weigh them down with something heavy
Reduce
flood water getting into your home
- Silicone sealant - open doors and windows, smear a layer of this around
the frame, then shut and lock the door/window.
- Ideally, cover doors, windows and airbricks with plywood, sandbags or metal sheeting.
Furniture and appliances
- Move as much furniture and electrical items as you can upstairs. Alternatively
raise them up on bricks or blocks - this may be very helpful for large appliances such as fridge/freezers
- Move furniture away from walls, as this helps when drying your property later
- If you can, roll up carpets and rugs and put them upstairs
- If there is no time to remove curtains, hang them up over the rail so they are kept above
flood water
- Leave internal doors open, or ideally, remove them and store them upstairs
Personal
Items
- You cannot replace sentimental items. Think about permanently moving these
upstairs, so you do not forget to move them in the case of a flood
- Keep important personal documents in a sealed bag, and in a location safe from floodwater
- Outside the house
- Move anything not fixed down into a safer location, e.g. dustbins, garden chemicals car
oil and similar
- Move your car to higher ground to avoid damage
- Weigh down manhole covers outside the house to prevent them floating away and leaving
a hazardous hole
Actions to remember:
Precautions if flooding looks likely;
- Put home emergency pack in a safe, accessible place
- Listen out for warning on radio and TV and phone Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for more information.
- Protect doorways and low level vents with sandbags. Plug sinks/baths
and put a sandbag in the toilet bowl to prevent backflow (Remember to unblock these vents before switching
everything back on).
- Each district council has its own policy in respect to providing
sandbags, which is reviewed periodically. To go to your appropriate district council website for
contact information Local Government in Leicestershire
and follow the link to your district council.
- Make enquiries as to the availability of sandbags in your area, you may find it prudent
to maintain your own supply.
- Move valuables, food and other possessions upstairs where possible. If you live in a Bungalow,
Caravan, Prefab or any other dwelling without access to a second story and you find yourself in difficulty
alert the Emergency Services so you can be evacuated. If you are able to self evacuate and stay with
family or friends inform the Emergency Services so your location is known.
- Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly, and move pets, vehicles, valuables and
other items to safety.
- Turn off gas and electricity if flooding is definitely about to happen. Unplug electrical
items and move them upstairs if possible.
- Assume that flood water contains sewage
- Ensure that you wear gloves when handling affected items
- Thoroughly disinfect and dry affected household items
During/After a Flood
- Co-operate fully with the emergency services – you may be evacuated to a
rest centre
- DO NOT switch on electricity or gas until these have been inspected
- DO NOT use food that has been in contact with Flood Water
- Do as much as you can in daylight. Doing anything in the dark.
Tips to help you stay safe in a flood
- Floods can kill. Don’t try to walk or drive through floodwater – six inches
of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car. Manhole covers may
have come off and there may be other hazards you can’t see.
- Never try to swim through fast flowing water – you may get swept away or be struck by
an object in the water.
- Don’t walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges if possible – they may collapse
in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves. Beware of stones and pebbles being thrown
up by waves.
- Avoid contact with flood water – it may be contaminated with sewage.
After a Flood
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible. Tell them what has happened.
They will be able to provide information on dealing with your claim, and assistance in getting things
back to normal.
- Commission immediate emergency pumping/repair work if necessary to protect
your property from further damage. This can be undertaken without insurer approval (remember to get
receipts)
- Get advice where detailed, lengthy repairs are needed. Your insurer or loss adjuster can
give advice on reputable contractors / tradesmen. Beware of bogus tradesmen and always check reference.
- Check with your insurer if you have to move into alternative accommodation as the cost
is normally covered under a household policy
- Make sure your insurance company knows where to contact you if you have to move out of
your home.
- Check with your local authority or health authority in the first instance or look under
Flood damage in the Yellow Pages for suppliers of cleaning materials or equipment to dry out your property.
It takes a house brick about one month per inch to dry out.
- Contact the gas, electricity and water companies. You’ll need to have your supplies checked
before you turn them back on. Find their numbers on the back of a recent bill or in the phone book
- Don’t turn on any electrical equipment until you are sure it has dried out
- Open the door and windows to ventilate your home. It takes a brick about 25mm/an inch
a month to dry out. Remember to unblock your airbricks and doorways, but take care to ensure your house
and valuables are secure.
- Watch out for any broken glass or nails while you are cleaning up
- Wash taps and run the water for a few minutes before use. Mains tap water should not be
contaminated but check with your local water company if you’re concerned.
- Don’t attempt to dry out photos or papers – place them in a plastic bag, and if possible
store them in the fridge
- The Citizens’ Advice Bureaus and other organisations may be able to help if you feel under
pressure, their numbers can be found in the phone book
- Don’t think it can’t happen again restock your supplies.
Further Information
An advice guide to repairing and restoring flood damaged property, "After a
Flood", is issued by the Environment Agency or is available from Floodline (see above for number.
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