Preparing for Floods

There are a number of ways you find out whether your area is at risk from flooding. Both the Environment Agency (for England and Wales) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency update their warnings 24 hours a day via the Floodline number.

And since December 2001, the Environment Agency issue live warnings online too.

The BBC also uses the same flood warning system to make alerts easier for everyone to understand. So if there is the chance of a flood near where we live, work, or are planning on travelling to, we will be aware of the current situation and the chances of it developing further.

The system, set up in September 2000 has four categories of alerts, although only the Severe Flood Warnings will be covered on TV broadcasts:

Flood Watch
This is the first stage of the warning. If your area is issued with a flood watch it means flooding is expected to low lying land and roads. You're advised to keep a close eye on local radio or television reports, alert your neighbours, watch water levels, check on your pets, reconsider any travel plans, make sure you can put your flood plan into action, and ring the Floodline for further information and advice.

Flood Warning
If a flood warning is issued in your area, it means flooding of homes and businesses is expected and you are advised to "Act Now". You should be prepared at this stage to move pets, vehicles, food, valuables, and other items to safety, also be prepared to turn off the gas and electricity, be ready to evacuate your home, and put sandbags or floodboards in place to protect your home.

Severe Flood Warning - Red warning symbol
This is the warning issued when serious flooding is expected, there is extreme danger to life and property and you are once again advised to "Act Now". If your warning is upgraded to this you should make be prepared for your gas, electricity, water, and telephone supplies being lost, you're advised to keep calm and reassure others, and cooperate with the emergency services.

All Clear
This is issued when the flood water levels are going down and no flood watches or warnings are in force any longer. At this stage you can check it is safe to return home.

The flood classifications have been designed as a result of a consultation process following the devastating floods in the UK in Easter 1998. Four hundred million pounds worth of damage was caused and in central England the highest water levels ever recorded were seen.

An independent review following this indicated that the existing warnings were confusing and misunderstood by "nearly all who receive them". As a result of this, the Environment Agency set up a discussion programme to make sure they could learn from the floods of 1998. The new warning system is a result of this.

There are a number of things we can do to prepare for floods, so when a warning is issued we'll be ready and know what to do:

• Make sure you have a list of the important phone numbers, including the Environment Agency's Floodline (0845 988 1188), the local council, emergency services, and your insurance company
• Collect together a flood kit which should include a first aid kit, torch, and waterproof clothing.
• Find out how to turn off your gas and electricity
• Think about where you could move things like cars to if a flood is imminent, and also where you could take your pets
• Have some sandbags or flood boards on hand to block your doors