Safety during a flood
If you are about to be flooded
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If there is an immediate danger to life, for instance someone is trapped in a flooded car or property, you must call 999.
Avoid walking or driving through floodwater or fast-moving water. Shallow moving water can knock you off your feet and there could be unknown hazards that you are not able to see, such as lifted drain covers and open manholes, damaged road surfaces, or sharp or heavy debris that can result in injuries and fatalities.
80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists should not attempt to drive through flooded road or fords. As little as 30cm or 1 foot of fast-moving floodwater able to move cars and your vehicle may be swept away or left stranded.
Never touch an electrical switch, electrical appliances or cables if you are standing in water. During and after a flood, your electrical supply and appliances can be dangerous.
Serious injuries can occur with fallen power lines, especially around water and floodwater. Always assume that a fallen overhead line is live, do not take any risks and contact the National Grid (previously called Western Power Distribution) immediately.
Flood water can also contain dangerous chemicals and sewage. People with health conditions and pregnant women should avoid floodwater and flooded areas, and do not let children play in flood water as this can be unsafe and contaminated. Wash your hands if you have been in contact with flood water and wear gloves and rubber boots when dealing with affected property.
Follow advice from your local council or emergency services, as you may be asked to evacuate. If possible, make arrangements for your household to stay with family or friends in a safe area. Continue to monitor Met Office weather warnings and Environment Agency flood warnings, contacting the Floodline helpline if necessary, to know when it is safe to return to your property. More advice on what to do during an emergency for Staffordshire residents can be found on the Staffordshire Prepared website.
Contact the Floodline helpline (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) for information on current Environment Agency flood warnings and alerts in your area, information on the flood warning service and advice on what to do before, during and after a flood
Telephone: 0345 988 1188
Textphone: 0345 602 6340
For more information on call charges, please see the "Call charges and phone numbers" link below.
Focus on personal safety first
If there is an immediate danger to life, for instance someone is trapped in a flooded car or property, you must call 999. If a flood warning has been issued or flooding is expected you should turn off electricity, gas, and water supplies but only if it is safe to do so and it is not needed for essential health or safety equipment. Never touch an electrical switch if you are standing in water.
Follow advice from your local council or emergency services, as you may be asked to evacuate. If possible, make arrangements for your household to stay with family or friends in a safe area. This should include a plan of action to know what to do with children and pets. Check on vulnerable and/or elderly members within your household, as well as neighbours if possible.
If you have prepared a flood pack, make sure you have this with you in case you must evacuate your property. If you have not prepared a flood pack, make sure you collect any important medications or documents you need, for instance insurance documents, bank details and essential telephone numbers.
Move your valuables (including sentimental items, electrical equipment, and if possible, furniture) upstairs or away from ground level and out of potential flooded areas. If you are sheltering in your property, make sure there is a safe means of escape.
If you have flood protection equipment, for instance a toilet bung, airbrick covers and/or a removable door barrier that need to be fitted prior to a flood, you should install these now. If it is safe to clear drains on or near your property, this can allow surface water to drain away and prevent it reaching your property. Never attempt to enter any watercourses to clear debris as fast flowing water and unknown hazards (for example floating debris) can cause serious injury including death, especially if trash screens and culverts are present within the watercourse. Move your car to higher ground if it is safe to do so. However, it is important that you avoid walking or driving through floodwater.
Continue to monitor Environment Agency flood warnings and Met Office weather warnings to know when it is safe to return to your property. If you have evacuated from your property, continue to monitor Environment Agency flood warnings and Met Office weather warnings to know when it is safe to return to your property.
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