Flooding Questions and Answers
How Do I Get Information About Likely Flooding?
Do I Need an Emergency Box?
Flood Sirens
How Will I Know if I am to be Evacuated?
I Have a Special Need and Cannot Move on my Own:-
Where Can I Get Sandbags?
Where Can I View the Tide Tables?
Which Radio Station Should I Listen to?
Where Can I Obtain Advice?
I’ve been Flooded – What do I do Now?
How Do I Get Information About Likely Flooding?
Contact the Environment Agency 24hr Floodline on 0845 988 1188
Find out what flood warning service is available where you live.
Get practical advice on what to do before, during and after flooding
Register for Floodline Warnings Direct
Floodline Warnings Direct is a free service that gives advance warning of flooding in your area by telephone, mobile, fax or pager. Register a telephone number where flood warnings can be sent to you 24 hours a day by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
Other places to get the latest flood update:
The flood warning service - know your codes!
The Environment Agency operates a flood warning service in areas at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. Agency staff monitor rainfall, river levels and sea conditions 24 hours a day and use this information to forecast the possibility of flooding. If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued through Floodline Warnings Direct (see above) using a set of four easily recognisable codes:
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Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in the area, be aware, be prepared, watch out!
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Flood Warning – Flooding homes, businesses and main roads in expected in the area, act now.
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Severe Flood Warning – Severe flooding is expected in the area, there is imminent danger to life and property, act now.
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All Clear – There are no Flood Watches or Warnings currently in force in the area.
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See the Environment Agency website for a full explanation of the flood codes:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/826674/882909/167259/167270/?version=1&lang=_e
Do I Need an Emergency Box?
It is a good idea for any emergency to have a number of items available so they can be quickly gathered together – a flood situation is no different.
What do I need?
- Keep your building and contents insurance papers together and available – importantly, are they up-to-date
(check now and put renewal dates on a calendar).
- Passports and benefit/pension books.
- Medication.
- Pen, paper, with a list of important telephone numbers.
- Small torch, battery radio and, if you have one, a mobile phone.
- House keys, credit cards and driving documents (licence and insurance).
Flood Sirens are used to complement other methods to advise people to leave their home / premises immediately and make their way to a safe location. This may be a rest centre or other suitable location, for example, relatives accommodation in an area not at risk. People are advised to listen to local radio stations at times of heightened flood risk for more information and not to use the 999 system for non-emergency matters. Should the decision be made to activate the sirens you will hear a continuous tone.
How Will I Know if I am to be Evacuated?
- Listen to a local radio station.
- If the siren sounds flooding is very likely and you will be asked to evacuate.
- Do you know where you can go to a safe place – a family or friend’s house.
- If you don’t, you will be told of a rest centre where you will be looked after.
If you are to be evacuated:-
- Think about what you are wearing – is it appropriate, will it keep you warm; have a change of underwear.
- Wear stout shoes, coats/scarf/gloves/etc.
- Ensure children have other essentials depending on their age:-
Milk, baby food, bottles, spoons, nappies, wipes, spare clothing and blankets, favourite toy or teddy.
Remember when you leave:-
- Lock all external windows and doors.
- Turn off gas, water and electricity.
- Put as many items as high off the floor as you can.
- If it is personal, a photo/special present – put it safely, the higher the better.
- Where are your pets?
I Have a Special Need and Cannot Move on my Own?
- The Police and Social Services will be there to help.
- If you can’t escape go upstairs and put a sheet or something large and visible out of a window to attract attention.
- The Fire Service and rescue services will make contact with you.
Where Can I Get Sandbags?
The Council does not normally provide sandbags for residents’ use, except during a severe incident when they are delivered directly by the Council to specific locations, as part of general public health protection.
Sandbags are not the only, or even most effective, way to protect property. It is well worth considering in advance how you might protect your property from flooding using flood boards, gates, barriers and using new technologies that are coming onto the market. Equipment for flood protection are available for purchase and it is possible to make your own temporary flood barriers.
The Council are unable to recommend specific suppliers but guidance can be sought from the Council Emergency Planning Manager and from the Environment Agency web page, “Temporary Flood Protection Equipment” at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/826674/830330/877142/?lang=_e
For additional Council information on sandbags and protecting your property see:
http://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/environment/emergency_planning/sandbags.htm#keephowlong
Where Can I View the Tide Tables?
Tide tables are published on the bbc website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/tides/east.shtml
Which Radio Station Should I Listen to?
All local radio stations will be kept informed.
Where Can I Obtain Advice?
Contact the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188 and ask for the guidance leaflet “Preparing for a Flood”. This gives practical advice on what to do to protect you and your property. Alternatively, you can access the Environment Agency web page on “Preparing for flood” where the leaflet and other advice can be downloaded: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/826674/830330/?version=1&lang=_e
I’ve been Flooded – What do I do Now?
Firstly make sure everyone is safe, well and accounted for.
Contact your insurance company and follow their advice.
Ensure it is safe to return to your house and prepare yourself for the mess you will find if your home has been flooded.
The water and silt in your home will not be clean – it will have been contaminated with germs, dirt and oil.
Wear rubber gloves, cover any cuts with waterproof plasters. Rubber boots and overalls are very desirable.
Initially drink only fresh bottled water until water supplies have been cleared and all taps, sinks, washbasins and toilets thoroughly disinfected. Wash your hands frequently and always before eating food.
Use your camera to photograph everything – the more pictures for record the better.
Yellow pages will be a help as will your mobile phone.
A basic tool kit including a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, a saw, nails and screws, will be of use, as will a torch and spare batteries.
Brooms, brushes, mops and buckets are essential, together with a supply of black sacks.
Whilst you need to ventilate, always secure and lock your home when you are not there.
Remember your home will have been damaged – watch out for broken glass, nails and jagged edges.
Remove mud and silt. Thoroughly wash, clean and rinse. Disinfect following the produce directions. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Depending upon the extent of the flooding and the structure of the house, the cleaning and drying process can take months – follow your insurer’s advice.
