Flood advice

Preparing for a flood

You should start preparing for a flood before it happens. Below are some tips for what you should consider when preparing for a flood. For more detailed tips, see GOV.UK.

• Check in with other people in your household. Agree where you will go and how to contact each other.
• Check if your pets are allowed at local evacuation centres.
• Keep a list of all your important contacts to hand.
• Move items of personal value such as family photos to a safe place.
• Think about who you could ask for help or who you could offer help to. Consider vulnerable neighbours or relatives.
• Check your buildings and contents insurance policy. Confirm you are covered for flooding.
• Find out if your policy replaces new for old, and if it has a limit on repairs. Don’t underestimate the value of your contents
• Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies. If you don't know, you can ask your supplier how to do this. You can mark taps or switches with stickers to help you remember.
• Prepare a flood kit with a torch and spare batteries. You can also include warm clothes, blankets, water, and food.
• You can use sandbags if you have them. Sandbags are no longer seen as effective against flash floods. Because of this, we do not issue sandbags to residents or businesses.

We maintain 70 flood defences and 15 flood storage areas in the borough. We work with at-risk communities to set up flood action groups and plans.

What you can do during a flood

Six inches of fast-flowing water can knock over an adult and two feet of water can move a car. In the event of a flood, prioritise the safety of yourself and your family. You should be ready to act without delay.

• Check in with other people in your household. If they are not at home, make sure they are somewhere safe.
• Gather essential items, either upstairs or to a high place.
• Move your family and pets upstairs, or to a high place with a means of escape.
• Turn off your gas, electricity and water if it is safe to do so. Do not touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.
• If you have one, listen to local radio for updates.
• You should always cooperate with emergency services. Refusing to leave your home on their advice may put you and your family at risk. Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
• If you can, avoid walking or driving through flood water.
• Consider vulnerable neighbours or relatives. If they are in danger, contact the emergency services.
• Plug any sinks or baths and weigh them down with something heavy.
• You can disconnect any equipment that uses water. For example, washing machines or dishwashers.
• If you are evacuated you will be taken to a local evacuation centre. Free food and bedding will be provided. You should bring spare clothing and baby care items if needed. You should also bring any essential medication.
• Most evacuation centres will let you bring your pets. You should bring pet 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.

Responsibilities when flooding occurs:

• Main river: Environment Agency (EA).
• Ordinary watercourse: Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). They are part of our infrastructure team.
• Riparian maintenance: Landowner. 'Riparian' means relating to the banks of a river.
• Groundwater: LLFA.
• Gully: Highways Authority.
• Sewer: Sewerage Company.
• Is it a sewer issue? Sewerage company.
• Is the gully blocked? Highways Authority.
• Is it a surface water low point? LLFA.
• Has the river backed up? EA or LLFA.
• Is the river tidally influenced? EA.
• Is the outfall blocked? EA or LLFA.
• Is there a sewer capacity issue? Sewerage company.
• Exceeding standard of protection? Asset Owner.
• Is there a riparian maintenance issue? Landowner.

You can report certain flooding issues online. You can report a flood if the LLFA or Highways Authority are responsible for them. To tell us about a flooding issue complete our report a flooding form. You can report sewerage issues to Thames Water.

What you can do after a flood

Flood water can contain harmful bacteria. Sewage, chemicals, and animal waste can contaminate flood water. When you are clearing up after a flood you should wear waterproof gloves and boots. You should also consider wearing a face mask.

• Follow instructions given by the emergency services.
• If your electricity supply is still on, get a qualified person to switch it off at the mains.
• Do not touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water. You can get water out of your property using a pump and generator.
• Only pump out water when outside flood levels are lower than inside. This will reduce the risk of structural damage.
• Shovel mud away from both sides of a wall in a uniform manner. This prevents pressure from building up on one side.
• Clean and disinfect your property. You can use ordinary household products.
• Do not use high-pressure hoses. They can blast contaminated matter into the air.
• If you are drying your property naturally, keep doors and windows open where possible. You can use dehumidifiers and close all doors and windows.
• If you have gas or oil central heating and it has been checked by an engineer, turn it on. Keep the thermostat at 20-22°C for steady drying.