Overview and key points
With flood warnings in place across parts of the UK, we’re sharing the practical steps you can take if flooding is forecast, and the action to take should you suffer a flood event at your home or your business.
After prolonged periods of dry weather, heavy rain is bringing a risk that you may not be expecting at this time of year: flooding.
When the ground is hard, dry and less able to absorb water quickly, sudden downpours can lead to surface water flooding, even in areas that do not usually consider themselves at high risk.
What to do if flooding is forecast
Whether you are protecting your home, your premises or your ability to trade, safety should always come first.
- Follow advice from the emergency services and local authorities
- Avoid walking or driving through floodwater, and leave the property if you are advised to do so
- Move vehicles, valuables, important documents, stock, critical equipment and sentimental items above the anticipated flood level
- Turn off gas, electricity (do not touch electrical switches if you are standing in water) and water supplies
- Prepare an emergency bag, keep phones charged and continue to monitor official flood warnings
If you’re a business owner, review your business continuity plan to ensure your employees and your customers know what’s happening and how to contact you.
If your property has been affected
Once everyone is safe, contact your insurer as soon as possible. Take photographs or video of the damage before clearing up, keep damaged items unless you are told otherwise, and retain receipts for emergency repairs, clean-up costs, temporary accommodation or alternative operating arrangements.
Floodwater may be contaminated, so avoid contact where possible and wait for professional guidance before re-entering badly affected areas.
For business owners, it is also important to record details of interruption, including lost revenue and any additional costs incurred as a result as these details may be needed during the claims process.
Be prepared for future flooding events
Our changing weather patterns are a timely reminder for us all to review what is in place before the next warning is issued.
David Plowman, Risk Manager gives this advice for business owners:
Any business located in an area where there is a significant flood risk should sign up for alerts from the Environment Agency or employ other methods to warn of a likely flood incident.
When flooding is likely to occur, steps can be taken to mitigate loss and businesses may wish to consider:
Implementing flood barriers: ideally watertight demountable barriers but sandbags are a cheaper readily available alternative
Moving higher value items and vehicles away from the flood risk area wherever possible
Consider implementing pumping systems to remove water from the premises
Should the worst happen and a significant flood loss occur then businesses should always consider “building back better” using flood resilient materials, relocating key infrastructure items such as electrical distribution boards and consider raising key machinery onto concrete plinths etc.
We can provide in depth desktop flood reviews and provide risk management guidance on preparing flood event plans as well as business continuity planning.
We’ll help you understand your insurance cover – whether it’s for your home or your business, identify potential gaps and support you through the claims process should the worst happen.
You can find out more about flood warnings and how to sign up for alerts here:
Flood warnings – BBC Weather
Flood warnings guide – Met Office
Get flood warnings by text, phone or email – GOV.UK
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