How to Prepare for a Flood

Flooding is one of the most common natural hazards in the UK and across Europe, and it is one of the few where preparation clearly changes the outcome. River floods often give hours or days of warning. Flash floods and surface water flooding after heavy rain can give minutes. In both cases, what you did beforehand decides how much you lose.

This guide follows the UK Government's flood advice, with the US equivalents alongside, and covers what to do before, during and after.

Before: find out if you are at risk

You cannot prepare sensibly for a risk you do not know about, and many people in flood-prone areas do not realise it until the first time.

• England: check your long-term flood risk on GOV.UK, and sign up for free flood warnings by phone, text or email through Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
• Scotland: SEPA publishes flood maps and flood warnings.
• Wales: Natural Resources Wales publishes flood risk information and warnings.
• Northern Ireland: NI Direct covers flood risk and who to contact.
• United States: FEMA's Flood Map Service Center shows your property's flood zone, and the National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings.
• Elsewhere in Europe: your national weather or environment agency publishes flood warnings. Find out which one applies to you and how it sends warnings.

The UK also has a mobile Emergency Alerts system, which sends a loud siren-style alert to phones in an area where there is a danger to life, including severe flooding. It sounds even if your phone is on silent.

Before: prepare your household

• Make a flood plan. Who does what, where you would go, and how you will contact each other. The UK Government's flood advice recommends every at-risk household has one.
• Know how to turn off gas, electricity and water at the mains, and make sure more than one person in the house can do it.
• Pack a grab bag with medication, a first aid kit, important documents, a torch, water and waterproof clothing, the list the UK Government recommends.
• Keep important documents in waterproof bags and upstairs, with scanned copies stored securely online.
• Check your insurance covers flooding. In the UK, if you struggle to get cover because of flood risk, the government-backed Flood Re scheme exists to help. In the US, standard home insurance generally does not cover flooding, and FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program policies usually take 30 days to come into effect, so buying one when a storm is forecast is too late.
• Consider flood protection products such as door barriers and airbrick covers if you are in an at-risk area.

During: when a flood warning is issued

• Move people, pets, medicines and important items upstairs or to higher ground.
• Turn off gas, electricity and water if it is safe to do so. Never touch electrical switches while standing in water.
• Put flood protection in place if you have it.
• Follow any instruction to evacuate straight away. Take your grab bag and pets.
• Keep updated through your warning service, local radio and official channels.

After: recovery and staying safe

• Do not go home until authorities say it is safe.
• Treat floodwater as contaminated. The UK Government advises washing your hands regularly with soap and water after contact. Wear waterproof gloves and boots for clean-up.
• Photograph all damage before you move or clean anything, then contact your insurer before starting repairs. The UK Government notes insurers may also cover temporary accommodation.
• Throw away food, drink and medicine that touched floodwater. When in doubt, throw it out. Food safety authorities publish detailed guidance if you are unsure about sealed items.
• Do not use electrics that have been wet until a qualified electrician has checked them.
• If you have no insurance, the UK Government suggests contacting your local council about hardship support.

What to keep ready if you are in a flood risk area

A flood can leave you cut off at home without mains water or power, or force you to leave within minutes, so you need both halves: a 72-hour kit kept upstairs, and a grab bag by the stairs. Mains water can be contaminated or cut off after flooding, so stored drinking water matters more here than for most emergencies. Our water calculator works out how much.

StayReady Kits includes a Flooding plan that walks through these before, during and after steps as a checklist, and lets you record where each kit is stored, so everyone in the household knows the grab bag is upstairs and not in the cupboard under the stairs.

Common questions

How do I get flood warnings in the UK?

In England, through Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or online. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own services through SEPA, Natural Resources Wales and NI Direct.

How deep does floodwater have to be to be dangerous?

15 cm (6 inches) of fast-flowing water can knock you over and 30 cm (1 foot) can move a car, according to the Environment Agency.

What should I do when a warning is issued?

Move people, pets and important items upstairs, turn off the utilities if it is safe, and follow any instruction to evacuate.

Is food safe after a flood?

Throw away anything that touched floodwater. When in doubt, throw it out.