Flooding is one of the most common and costly emergencies facing UK homes, and the risk is rising with wetter winters and heavier storms. The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way. This guide walks you calmly through what to do before, during and after a flood, so you can protect your family, your home and your belongings while keeping safety firmly at the centre of every decision you make.
Know your flood risk and sign up for warnings
Start by understanding whether your home is at risk. The gov.uk Check for flooding service lets you check the flood risk for your postcode from rivers, the sea, surface water and reservoirs. Once you know your risk, sign up for the Environment Agency flood warning service, which is free and sends alerts by phone, text or email. There are three levels to recognise. A Flood Alert means flooding is possible and you should stay vigilant. A Flood Warning means flooding is expected and you should act now. A Severe Flood Warning means there is danger to life.
Knowing your local risk also helps you plan practical details in advance, such as where you would move your car, which upstairs room is safest and how you would help elderly neighbours or pets. Talk to everyone in your household so they understand the warning levels and know the plan before bad weather arrives.
Prepare a grab bag and ready your home
Prepare a grab bag you can pick up quickly if you need to leave. Sensible contents include copies of important documents in a waterproof wallet, any essential medication, a torch and spare batteries, a mobile phone and charger, warm and waterproof clothing, some cash, drinking water and snacks, and the contact details for your insurer. Keep the bag somewhere accessible upstairs or near the door.
Before water arrives, move valuables, electrical items and sentimental belongings upstairs or onto a high shelf. Roll up rugs, move the car to higher ground and put sandbags or flood barriers across doors and airbricks if you have them. Make sure you know where your gas, electricity and water shut-off points are, because turning these off at the mains is one of the most important safety steps during a flood.
What to do during a flood
When a Flood Warning is issued, act quickly but calmly. Turn off your gas, electricity and water at the mains if it is safe to do so, and never touch electrical switches or appliances while you are standing in water. Move upstairs or to a high place that has a means of escape, taking your grab bag, phone and warm clothing with you.
The single most important rule is never to walk or drive through floodwater. Just 30 centimetres of moving water can float a car, and only 15 centimetres can knock an adult off their feet. Floodwater is often deeper and faster than it looks, may hide open drains or damaged ground, and is frequently contaminated with sewage. If you become trapped, go up rather than into a loft with no exit, and call 999 for help.
Evacuating safely
If the emergency services advise you to evacuate, follow their instructions promptly. Take your grab bag, medication, phone and charger, and any pets if you can do so safely. Let someone know where you are going, and follow recommended routes rather than short cuts that may be flooded. Avoid driving unless you are certain the roads ahead are clear and safe.
If you cannot leave in time, stay upstairs, keep your phone charged and to hand, and signal for help from a window if needed. Do not enter floodwater to retrieve belongings, as no possession is worth your life. Keep listening to local radio and official updates, and only return downstairs or outside once you are confident the water has receded and it is safe.
Returning home and cleaning up safely
Only return home when officials confirm it is safe. Floodwater and the residue it leaves behind can be contaminated with sewage, chemicals and debris, so wear waterproof gloves, sturdy boots and protective clothing while cleaning. Wash your hands thoroughly and keep any cuts covered. Do not switch the gas or electricity back on yourself if they may have been affected; have them checked by a qualified engineer first.
Open windows to ventilate, take photographs of all damage before you throw anything away, and be cautious of structural damage, weakened floors and slippery surfaces. Throw away any food, medicines and cosmetics that have touched floodwater. Give yourself time, as drying out a flooded home can take weeks or months, and reach out for support from your council or a helpline if you are feeling overwhelmed.
Insurance, Flood Re and documentation
Good documentation makes recovery far smoother. Keep an inventory of your belongings, photographs of your home and copies of your insurance policy stored safely, ideally digitally as well as on paper. Contact your insurer as soon as possible after a flood, follow their advice on cleaning and repairs, and keep receipts for any emergency work or temporary accommodation.
If you have struggled to find affordable cover because of flood risk, Flood Re is a scheme that works with insurers to help make home insurance with flood cover more available and affordable for eligible households. It is worth asking your insurer or broker whether your policy benefits from Flood Re, and reviewing your level of cover well before the next storm season arrives.
Protecting your home against future risk
After the immediate crisis, think about reducing the impact of future floods. Property flood resilience measures can help, from flood doors, barriers and airbrick covers to non-return valves on drains, raised electrical sockets and water-resistant materials fitted during any repairs. Even simple habits, such as keeping a supply of sandbags and knowing your mains shut-offs, make a genuine difference on the day.
Stay signed up for Environment Agency flood warnings, keep your grab bag topped up, and revisit your household plan each autumn. Check whether your area has a community flood group, as neighbours sharing information and resources can be one of the most reassuring and effective parts of being prepared together.
What to do next
Take three practical steps today. First, check your flood risk by postcode on the gov.uk Check for flooding service and sign up for the Environment Agency flood warning service so alerts reach you early. Second, put together a grab bag and note where your gas, electricity and water shut-offs are. Third, review your home insurance and ask about Flood Re if cover has been hard to find. Preparation cannot promise that flooding will never affect you, but these steps give you the best possible chance of staying safe and recovering quickly.
