Floods in the UK: advice on staying safe and protecting your home

How to prepare for a flood

Before a flood warning

Make sure you are aware of flood risks and prepared in case they happen:

• Familiarise yourself with the government's flood alerts and national emergency alert systems.
• See if your area is at risk of flooding:
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland
• Make an evacuation plan for your family and pets. Work out how you'll take medication and other essentials with you.
• Prepare an emergency kit in case you need to leave quickly. Use our guide to prepare your emergency kit. Your kit could contain a mobile phone charger, medication, drinking water, emergency contact and support numbers, something to wear, and waterproof clothing.
• Check your home insurance policy. Make sure you have a policy that meets your coverage needs for potential flood damage inside your home. See if you are eligible for support with flood insurance
• Let your energy supplier know if you need extra support. You can be added to their priority support register for assistance with your electricity and gas. 
• Prepare your home to minimise flood damage. Take steps in advance to protect your home and your belongings. 
• If you live in an area at risk of flooding, let your neighbours know, especially those that are elderly or vulnerable, and help them to prepare too.

Supporting your community

• If you live in an area at risk of flooding, let your neighbours know, especially those that are elderly or vulnerable, and help them to prepare too. 
• Encourage your local school to start teaching children about preparing for weather emergencies using our teaching resources:
  
  • For primary school students
  • For secondary school students
  • Teacher training resources

Our Community Resilience Toolkit [PDF] has been designed to help communities build resilience to flooding by increasing awareness about flood risk and developing community emergency plans. Download the PDF.

Floods can pose a danger to your health. You can take a Red Cross first aid course, or download our free First Aid apps, for adults and children to help prepare.

For more information about the health risks related to flooding read Public Health England's advice and guidance.

After a flood warning

• Follow any official advice and pay attention to government alerts
• Shut and lock all windows and doors but ensure you have an easily accessible escape route from the property. This will protect your property and may reduce the volume of floodwater entering the building.
• Take photographs around your home. This may help with insurance claims.
• Move sentimental and important items/documents upstairs.
• Move vehicles to higher ground so they won’t be caught in rising floodwater.

What to do during a flood

• If the flood is posing a threat to your safety, call the emergency services immediately.
• Don't walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over. Two feet of water can float a car.
• Don't walk on sea defences or riverbanks.
• Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage. If you’re exposed, wash your hands and clothes thoroughly in clean water.
• Don't allow children to play in or near floodwater.

Need to leave your home and have nowhere to stay?

Your local council will help. Initially, you may be housed in an emergency shelter. But if you cannot return home for a long period, your council can help you find something more suitable. Find the website for your local council.

• If you need to evacuate, turn off the main power before you leave. You can be electrocuted in floodwater if the power remains switched on.
• Take all pets with you when you leave so they aren’t trapped by rising water.

After a flood

• Dispose of any food that may have been in floodwater.
• Boil tap water or use bottled water until supplies are declared safe.
• Flooding is a stressful experience. You can find information on crisis support services by phoning 111 (NHS 111 number). 
• Follow the UK government's advice on how to keep safe while cleaning up after a flood.

More support

• Check the National Flood Forum
• Speak to a Floodline adviser by calling 0345 988 1188.
• Find further advice on the following websites:
  • Gov.uk Flooding Guidance
  • Natural Resources Wales
  • Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  • Northern Ireland Direct
• Follow the UK Government's advice on flooding, the dangers of flash flooding, and how groundwater flooding may affect you.
• Download and read the Environment Agency's leaflet on what to do before, during and after a flood. 
• For guidance on flood insurance and the flood insurance claims process, see the ABI Responding to Floods guide [PDF].

More advice about what to do during a flood and how to stay safe can be found on the National Flood Forum (Wales, England, and Northern Ireland) or Scottish Flood Forum (Scotland) websites.

If you’re struggling to cope after a flood

For some people the experience of flooding can be stressful. The effects of flooding can be felt for months and years after.

We have trained staff and volunteers who can help if you’d like to talk about any difficulties you’re having.

Our team members can:

• offer emotional support as a friendly and understanding listener
• suggest organisations which may be able to help you
• discuss steps you can take to start or continue your recovery

Call the support line on 0808 196 3651 between 10am and 8pm Mondays and Thursdays, and between 10am and 5pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  

Alternatively, you can use our list of support organisations.