What the flood warnings mean
The EA issue 3 levels of flood warning:
Flood alert – Prepare
- prepare a bag that includes medicines and insurance documents
- check flood warnings
Flood warning – Act
- turn off gas, water and electricity
- move things upstairs or to safety
- move family, pets and car to safety
Severe flood warning – Survive
- call 999 if in immediate danger
- follow advice from emergency services
- keep yourself and your family safe
All floods are different and you should take advice from the emergency services and your local authority if you’re in a flood.
What to do if you get a flood alert
A flood alert means you need to prepare: flooding is possible.
If you haven’t already done so, you should:
- sign up for flood warnings
- keep up to date with the latest flood risk situation – call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates
- have a bag ready with vital items like insurance documents and medications in case you need to leave your home
- check you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies
- plan how you’ll move family and pets to safety
What to do if you get a flood warning
A flood warning means you need to act: flooding is expected. You should do all the actions for a flood alert, but also:
- move vehicles to higher ground if it’s safe to do so
- move family and pets to safety
- move important items upstairs or to a safe place in your property, starting with cherished items and valuables, then furniture and furnishings
- turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if it’s safe to do so; never touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water
- if you have property protection products such as flood barriers, or air brick covers, use them now
- keep track of the latest flood risk situation
What to do if you get a severe flood warning
A severe flood warning means there is danger to life: you must act now.
- call 999 if you’re in immediate danger
- follow advice from the emergency services and evacuate if you’re told to do so
- make sure you have an emergency kit including a torch, spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, important numbers like your home insurance, water, food, first aid kit and any medicines and babycare items you may need
- alert neighbours and offer help if it’s safe to do so
- avoid driving or walking through flood water: just 30cm (1 foot) of fast flowing water could move your car and even shallow moving water can knock you off your feet
- keep your family and pets away from floodwater – it may contain heavy debris, sharp objects, open manhole covers, sewage and chemicals
- wash your hands if you’ve been in contact with flood water which may contain toxic substances