Prepare for flooding | Prepare for flooding

Flooding can happen quickly, so it's important to be prepared, especially if you live in an area at risk.

There are steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, your pets and your belongings.

Check if your home is at risk of flooding

You can check whether your home is at risk of flooding and find information about current flood alerts and warnings.

If your home is in an area at risk of flooding, you can sign up for free flood warnings by phone, email or text.

You can also contact the Environment Agency's Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

If flooding is expected:

Listen to local radio and television weather forecasts and follow advice from the emergency services.
Let your neighbours know about the risk, particularly older people who may need extra support.
Move food and drinking water upstairs.
Bring pets that live outdoors in cages inside.
Move your pets upstairs, along with their food, water, bedding and litter trays.

You can also find advice about protecting your pets during flooding.

If flooding is expected, there are steps you can take to reduce damage to your home and belongings.

Move your car to higher ground.
Roll up carpets and rugs and move them out of the way.
Empty drawers and cupboards.
Move furniture upstairs if possible.
Raise furniture on bricks and move it away from walls.
Weigh down furniture that's too heavy to move.
Wrap plastic bags around the legs of wooden furniture to help reduce water damage.
Take down curtains or wrap them around the curtain pole.
Move valuables, sentimental items and important documents upstairs.

Move computers and electrical equipment upstairs or above the expected flood level.
Turn off your mains gas and electricity supplies.
Disconnect electrical appliances.

Put plugs in sinks and weigh them down with something heavy to help prevent water coming back up through the drains.
Weigh down toilet seats.

If flooding is affecting your home, property or a road, find out who to contact on our Report flooding page.