Flood preparation checklist
Flood warnings usually give hours, not days. Move on the things that matter before the water arrives, then deal with the rest once it's gone.
19 items
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The items
- Flood warnings signed up forFree, by postcode, and the only advance notice most floods give — hours rather than days.
- Flood risk checked for the actual propertyNot just the area — a house on a slight rise can stay dry while the one next door doesn't.
- Flood barriers or sandbags stored somewhere they can be reached quickly×4
- Air brick covers or flood boards fitted, if you own them
- Important documents moved upstairs or into a waterproof folderInsurance details, ID, anything expensive to replace — move them before the warning becomes a flood.
- Electrical items and furniture raised off the floor where possible
- Car moved to higher ground, well before water is forecast
- Gas and electricity turned off at the mains, once water is actually entering the houseOnly if you can reach the switches safely without standing in water — if not, leave it and get out.
- Everyone moved upstairs or to higher groundDo this early. Water rises faster than it looks like it's going to, and stairs stop being an option once it's deep enough.
- Insurer's emergency number called as soon as it's safe toMost have a flood helpline that can arrange emergency repairs and temporary accommodation, not just take a claim.
- Photos taken of the damage before anything is moved or clearedFor the claim — insurers ask for this and it's much harder to reconstruct afterwards.
- Standing flood water avoidedIt can hide sharp debris, open drains, and be electrically live from a submerged supply — never wade through it if you can go around.
- Utilities left off until checked by a qualified engineerDon't switch gas or electricity back on yourself once they've been under water.
- Drying out started once the water has gone
- Windows and doors opened when the weather allows
- Dehumidifiers or heaters brought in
- Skirting boards and flooring checked, since damp travels further than it looks
- Mould watched for over the following weeksIt appears well after the flooring looks dry — keep checking corners and behind furniture.
- Local advice followed on rebuilding materialsSome areas recommend flood-resistant alternatives, if a flood is likely to happen again.
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Questions people ask
- How do I find out if my home is at flood risk?
- Check the government flood warning service for your postcode area and sign up for alerts — it's free and gives advance notice most floods don't otherwise provide.
- Should I try to stay if flood water is rising?
- Move upstairs or to higher ground early rather than waiting to see how bad it gets. If you're already trapped by rising water, call 999 and stay off the ground floor.
- What's the single most dangerous mistake people make?
- Driving through flood water. Six inches is enough to stall a car, and moving water is stronger than it looks — turn around rather than risk it.