FloodSmart – prepare now for tomorrow. Information to consider ...
Considerations in the event of a flood warning in your area.
Communication plan
Have you thought about a communications plan in the event you had to leave your home?
Many of us tend to store information on our phone, but what would happen if you ran out of charge?
It is important to be able to communicate with your family and friends in the event of an emergency, so write down a list of names and numbers and put it in your grab bag, ideally in a waterproof wallet.
The Floodline number is 0345 988 1188 - use this number to report flooding in your area or if your home is flooded.
Looking after family and pets
All family members may not be at home in the event of a flood, so plan ahead. Discuss and document an evacuation plan with your family, including meeting points and emergency contacts.
Include pets in your evacuation plan, find out which shelters accept pets or make advance arrangements with friends or family who could look after them if you have flood warning.
Moving motor vehicles
If you know you are at risk of flooding, it may be a good idea to move your car, van or motorbike to a safer area, within walking distance, but to higher ground or inland, if you can. If you need to use it, ensure you have plenty of fuel as traffic can back up and it may be a slow drive getting to safety.
'I don't live in a flood zone'
Even if you don't live or work in a flood risk zone, you could be affected by flooding from other sources, which can be difficult to predict. Flash flooding can occur when hard dry land increases the rate of surface water runoff and local drainage systems and networks become overwhelmed.
As this is not always related to rivers, or if the location affected is not in a flood risk zone, flooding conditions are not monitored by the Environment Agency's Flood Warning Service, which can mean these communities would not receive flood alerts or warnings leaving no, or little time to prepare. Signing up to the Met Office Weather Warning Service would be helpful.
Remember - a crisis can happen when we least expect it.
What happens if your home becomes inhabitable?
If you can't continue to live in your home because of flood damage and you have nowhere else to live, ask your local council to help you. You should be treated as a priority case because this is an emergency.
Housing options, call 01903 737552 - Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5.15pm and Friday 8.45am to 4.45pm.
At this point, we trust you would have reached our 'emergency rest centre' and advice will be provided.
Insurance
If you can, get insurance cover.
Flood insurance is normally included as a standard part of your building insurance, which protects you in the event of damage to the structure of your property. But this doesn't include your belongings. If you want the contents of your home to be protected against flood damage too, you'll need contents insurance.
If you already have building and contents insurance - check to see if flood damage is covered, as standard homeowners' insurance typically doesn't cover flood damage.
If you already have insurance, take detailed photos of your property and contents now. If flooding occurs, the images may helpful during the claims process.