Many households in the UK face the recurring threat of flooding — whether from heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, or coastal surges. While we can’t eliminate flood risk entirely, you can be better prepared to reduce damage, loss, and stress when the waters rise.
Understanding Flood Risk
The first step is knowing whether your property is exposed, use your postcode to check flood risk via the Flood Information Service it covers England and Wales.
Be aware of the three warning levels the service issues:
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- Flood Alert
- Flood Warning
- Severe Flood Warning
Even if your area hasn’t flooded before, changing climates and heavier storms mean risk is rising.
Ensuring You Have Suitable Flood Cover
Floods can cause extensive and costly damage. Insurance claims in the Midlands and Yorkshire region alone have reached £110 million in severe seasons according to an article in the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Journal magazine in January 2020
Confirm with your insurer that your policy covers loss and damage caused by flooding , in both high-risk zones and more “protected” areas.
When there is a creadible threat , taking action early can make a big difference .
Here are some of the steps you might wante to take to safeguard yourself and your family and your home.
- Fixtures and fittings will better withstand the flood if they are made of solid wood.
- Raise the plug sokets at least 1.5m above the floor level, as per the UK’s Electrical Safety First
- Make sure you know how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity ,
- Before any floodwaters begin to threaten your house, move your car to higher ground, but still as close as possible to home;
Prepare a “flood kit”
Per advice from Age UK, have a ready-to-go kit that includes:
• Food, bottled water, warm clothing, blankets
• Torch, portable radio, first-aid kit
• Fully charged mobile phone
• A printed or written list of important contact numbers and insurance policy details
Even with all precautions, it is unrealistic to expect full waterproofing against serious flooding. The aim is to reduce damage, protect lives, and ease recovery.
