Torrential rain has brought flooding and travel disruption to the UK recently. It seems that every week, the Met Office issuing weather warnings for heavy rain or thunderstorms. But with forecasters predicting drier/sunnier (hard to believe recently) summers, and the typical British weather, flash flooding is on the increase. But what should you in a flood?
If you live in a high-risk area that is prone to flooding, then, above all else, being prepared is key!
Get flood warnings
The Government has a flood warning system in place and it is a free service to use.
England – Click Here
Wales – Click Here
Scotland – Click Here
Northern Ireland – Click Here
There are three levels of the warning system and you can find out what each level means by clicking here.
What to do if you are about to be flooded?
Emergency Flood Kit – As previously mentioned, preparation is key. Having a flood kit of essentials should include medication and insurance documents. Make sure that your mobile is fully charged and have a mobile battery pack ready as a backup. It’s also worth having some bottled drinking water and some tinned food.
Moving on up – Move what you can upstairs, including any electrical items, carpets and rugs. Anything too heavy then should be raised off the ground and away from the walls.
Bag It Up – Sandbags are perfect for stopping water from entering your home. They should be placed at entry points around your home. You can find out where to get them from your local council or they can be purchased from hardware stores. There are also a number of other modern-day alternatives that can be bought from online retailers.
Get it covered – Make sure your insurance is up to date and that you are covered for any flood damage.
Keep updated – Make sure that you keep up-to-date with local flood warnings issued by local government agencies.
What to do after a flood in your home?
If you have had to leave your home and it is safe to return, then there are a few things that need to be done to make your home livable.
- Contact your insurer – they should be your first point of call. They will be able to guide you through the next steps.
- Check with emergency services – there may be a risk to health if your home has been flooded, so check with them to make sure it is safe to return.
- Speak to the specialists – it’s more than likely that specialists will need to be called in to repair any damage caused by floodwater. Your insurer will be able to advise you further on this matter.
- Document the damage – It’s worth making a note of the water level and document the damage with photos or video evidence. This will help the insurer assess any damage and could speed up your claim.
How flooding can be prevented?
There are preventative measures you can take to limit the amount of damage to protect your property.
Sandbags – The old faithful. As mentioned previously, these can be obtained from your local council and effective in their job. Alternatively, you can purchase them from D.I.Y or hardware stores.
Flood Fences – We’ve seen these being posted on social media a fair amount recently and they are impressive. See for yourself in the video below
Airbrick Covers – These are recommended if you have low-level airbricks. They allow air to circulate beneath suspended floors and in wall cavities. Not ideal during a flood, but covering them will temporarily seal the cover and is quick and easy to install and simple to put on.
Toilet Seals – An essential and affordable way of protecting your home during a flood. Essentially, they prevent a back-flow of waste and sewage from entering your home.
Flood damage is without a doubt one of the most devastating tragedies that can strike any home and can cause real nightmares for those that live in flood prone areas. It has the ability to devastate a lovely home in a matter of minutes. The damage caused by floodwater in ten minutes can take up to a year to repair. A sudden flood that causes tens of thousands of pounds in damage is not uncommon.
Our Home Insurance Specialists knows everything there is to know about flood damage and the havoc it can wreak. We’ll find you a house insurance coverage that will provide you with peace of mind at a price you’ll love.