Flood Plan

 

Find out if you're at risk 

Use the NRW map to find out if your property is at risk from flooding.

Check flood warnings

Be aware of flooding in your area by keeping an eye on water levels and the weather forecast.

You can sign up online for free flood warnings. Or check live flood map. NRW use three types of warnings - These could give you time to protect your home and move livestock or machinery:

Flood Alert 

 

This means flooding is possible. Be prepared.

  • Be prepared to act on your flood plan.
  • Prepare a flood kit of essential items.
  • Monitor local water levels and the flood forecast on the NRW website.

Flood Warning

Flooding is expected, immediate action required.

  • Move family, pets and valuables to a safe place.
  • Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if it is safe to do so.
  • Put flood protection equipment in place.
  • Stay in a safe place with a means of escape.

Severe Flood Warning

Danger to life

  • Be ready to leave your home.
  • Cooperate with the emergency services.
  • Call 999 if you are in immediate danger

Flood Plans

A flood plan can help you prepare for flooding and reduce the impact it might have. It can also help with the recovery process. Print and fill in your own flood plan using one of the templates:

  • Personal flood plan for your home
  • Business flood plan for you and your staff
  • Community flood plan
  • Or use this checklist to write your own:
    • Know who to contact and how:
    • agree where you will go and how to contact each other
    • check with your council if pets are allowed at evacuation centre's
    • keep a list with all your important contacts to hand
    • Keep personal items, like photo albums and treasured mementos in a safe place:
    • don't wait for a flood to move them because it might be too late and dangerous

Think about what you would need to move to safety during a flood:

    • your pets
    • cars
    • furniture
    • electrical equipment

Think about who you could ask for help, or could you offer help to vulnerable friends, family or neighbours?

Extra precautions for farms and agricultural land

  • Your land may be at risk of flooding even if your house is not. Make sure you have a flood plan and share it with all staff so they are familiar with it. Keep your plan somewhere safe and easily accessible. Your flood plan should include all the above points and it should also consider:
  • identify fields at higher ground where livestock can be moved to safety
  • identify stock/machinery/tools that can easily be moved off the farm to prevent loss or damage
  • identify any chemicals/fuels on the farm that could contaminate flood water and think about how they could be moved to safety during a flood
  • consider how you will inform staff about an impending flood, and how staff may be able to help you prepare
  • draw up a contingency plan with suppliers to ensure business continuity to reduce loss of earnings
  • consider purchasing a stockpile of useful materials that can be used during a flood, i.e. sandbags to prevent water entering barns/sheds, plywood to board up windows and pallets to raise stock/equipment above flood water level
  • Top tips to reduce the likelihood of flooding on a farm:
  • consider creating run off ponds, or sediment traps on the farm to reduce the likelihood of flooding
  • avoid directing run off towards roads and watercourses
  • discharge roof water into swales and/or soakaways around the farm, to slow water down and recharge groundwater
  • loosen soil to leave a rough surface after harvesting to allow more water to soak in rather than run off land
  • remove stock when soils are wet in high-risk fields
  • use low-ground-pressure tyres to reduce soil compaction

Flood kit

Prepare a flood kit of essential items and keep it handy. This should include:

  • copies of your home insurance documents.
  • a list of important telephone numbers.
  • a torch with spare batteries.
  • a wind up battery radio
  • warm, waterproof clothing and blankets.
  • a first aid kit and prescription medication.
  • bottled water and non-perishable food.
  • baby food and baby care items.

Keep a list of important phone numbers in your flood kit, this should include:

  • Floodline 0345 988 1188
  • Your local authority emergency helpline
  • insurance company 24-hour number and your policy number
  • local radio station frequency for news alerts and weather updates
  • family and neighbours
  • work phone numbers
  • doctor's surgery
  • local police station
  • vet/kennel/cattery
  • local hotel or B&B
  • gas supplier and meter number
  • electricity supplier and meter number
  • water supplier and meter number
  • electrician
  • plumber
  • builder

Insurance

  • Confirm you are covered for flooding.
  • Find out if the policy replaces new for old, and if it has a limit on repairs.
  • Don't underestimate the value of your contents.
  • The Flood Re scheme helps households in areas at risk of flooding find affordable home insurance - ask your existing insurer if your home is eligible.

Call Floodline 0345 988 1188 - 24 hour service  - You can also check:

Blocked rivers and landslides

Report flooding caused by blocked rivers, landslides or flooding from rivers and the sea to our 24 hours incident line on 03000 65 3000.