Preparing for a flood

You can check for flooding in your area and sign up for flood warnings.

If you’re about to be flooded

If your area has a flood warning (when flooding is expected) or severe flood warning (when there’s a danger to life):

  • turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies, if it’s safe to do so. Do not touch an electrical switch or item if you’re standing in water
  • move your family, vehicles, pets and important items to safety, for example upstairs or to higher ground
  • if you have them, use flood protection products, for example flood barriers or air brick covers
  • follow advice from your local council or the emergency services - you may be asked to evacuate

If you have one, use your:

Find out more about flood alerts and warnings.

Get advice

You can get further advice on what to do and how to stay safe during a flood from the National Flood Forum or the British Red Cross.

You can also speak to a Floodline adviser.

Floodline
Telephone: 0345 988 1188
Textphone: 0345 602 6340
24-hour service
Find out about call charges

Other things you can do 

When heavy rainfall is expected, checking your home and reporting necessary repairs can help prevent leaks damaging your property. 

You can check that: 

  • gutters and drains are not blocked if it is safe to do so
  • external drain pipes are connected and don't have any damage 
  • waste pipes are connected to the gully correctly

Look out for signs of a roof leak, such as damp patches or water marks on ceilings.

Remove or cover valuable items near the leak to prevent damage if you discover signs of a leak. If you notice loose or missing tiles on your roof, report this to us immediately.

Building & contents insurance

Contents insurance is vital in case of a flood. Plus, you'll be covered if any of your belongings are damaged due to a leak or burst pipe.