Flood Advice from the Flood Environment Agency

Over 5 million people in England and Wales live in properties that are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. We warn people about flooding and build flood defences.

Floods can happen anywhere at anytime, caused by rising ground water levels, burst water drains, hillside run-off from sudden rain and more.

Being prepared for flooding could save your life and your property. 

Preparing for a flood

Prepare for flooding by following some simple steps. Plus, find out how flood protection products and making your property more resistant and resilient to flooding can reduce flood damage.

• Flood Warning Codes

  What the flood warning codes mean and what action to take.

• Sign up for Floodline Warnings Direct

  We can't always stop the sea and rivers from flooding, but we can tell you when it's going to happen. Some 70 per cent of those who can sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct still have not done so. If you're one of them, sign up now.

• Flood protection products and preparing your home or business for flood

  There are many things you can do to reduce the damage a flood can cause to your home or business. Even if flood water does get in, there are ways you can limit the damage to furnishings, materials and to the structure of your property.

• Make a flood plan

  Start preparing today before a flood happens.

• The flood warning service - know your codes

• Flood advice guides

  Practical advice on what to do before, during and after a flood. Our three guides are available in PDF, print, CD and MP3 file.

• Flood preparation guide for business

  Don't let a flood drown your business. Floods are one of the most common and widespread of all disasters and are growing in frequency and severity due to the impact of global warming

  During a flood

  Advice on what to do to stay safe in a flood

  In the event of a flood

• Focus on the safety of you and your family
  • Put people before property.
  • Cooperate with the emergency services if they tell you to evacuate during flooding.
  • Be prepared to act quickly to get yourself to safety.

We use our flood warning service to warn you of flooding from rivers and the sea as soon as we can.  But there is some flooding we can't predict.

• Stay alert to localised flooding

Also known as 'surface water' flooding. This usually happens where drainage systems are unable to cope with heavy spells of rainfall. Rainwater is unable to drain away and quickly builds up, causing flooding in unexpected places. We cannot warn you of this type of flooding.

Your flood warning service

We offer a different flood warning service depending on where you live. 

Find out if you can sign up to our free 24 hour Floodline Warnings Direct service by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188. You can select to receive warnings by phone, text, email, fax or pager.

• In some areas we also give flood warnings using
  • Sirens - usually a wailing sound only activated when a flood is about to happen.
  • Loud hailers - a vehicle will drive around repeating the flood warnings
    
• Other places to get the latest flood update
  • Teletext Page 159, BBC Ceefax Page 419 and Digital Ceefax Page 405.
  • Local weather, news and travel bulletins.

What to do in an emergency

Listen to and act on the advice of the emergency services. Follow these simple steps to stay safe.

1. Gather essential items together either upstairs or in a high place.
2. Fill jugs and saucepans with clean water.
3. Move your family and pets upstairs, or to a high place with a means of escape.
4. Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home if safe to do so.  DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.
5. Keep listening to local radio for updates or call Floodline 0845 988 1188.
6. Flood water can rise quickly, stay calm and reassure those around you. Call 999 if you are in danger.

Important! Flood water is dangerous

• Avoid walking or driving through it.
• Keep children and vulnerable people away from it.
• Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch it.

Protect what you can...

Move important items to safety and put flood protection equipment in place when there is a flood warning. Follow manufacturer instructions carefully to help stop the flood water.

• Take items upstairs or to a high point in your property
  • Safely store important documents such as insurance papers.
  • Move items of personal value such as photos, family videos or treasured mementos.
  • Move lightweight household belongings you can pick up easily and quickly.
  • Move items of furniture that are expensive or harder to repair before cheaper ones.
    
• If possible, move your outside belongings to higher ground
  • If the flood water hasn't reached you, move your car to higher ground and move outdoor pets to safety.
    
• Help stop water entering  your home
  • Put plugs in sinks and baths.  Weigh them down with a sandbag, a pillowcase or plastic bag filled with garden soil, or a heavy object.

• If you do not have  non-return valves fitted
  • Plug water inlet pipes with towels or cloths.
  • Disconnect any equipment that uses water (like washing machines and dishwashers).If you do not have non-return valves.

...but evacuate when told to do so

Stay safe, always listen to the advice of the emergency services and evacuate when told to do so.

• Leave your home if the emergency services say so.  Refusing to leave on their advice will put you, your family and those trying to help you at risk.
• When you are evacuated you will be taken to an evacuation centre run by your local council. Free food and bedding is provided. Bring spare clothing, essential medication and babycare items if you have an infant.
• Most evacuation centres will let you bring your pets. Take their food. Put cats and small animals in a pet carrier or secure box.People running the centres are trained to give you support and advice. They will help you through the stress of a flood and prepare you for what to do afterwards.

Your flood plan

You need to act quickly when you get a flood warning.  Develop your own emergency flood plan in advance of actual flooding.  Use the link to 'Make an emergency flood plan' below to help you.

Make an emergency flood plan

After a flood

How to get your home back to normal.

• Health Protection Agency (Flood) website

  Gives advice on looking after your health if you've been flooded.

• Flood advice guides

  Practical advice on what to do before, during and after a flood. Our three guides are available in PDF, print, CD and MP3 file.