During extreme weather conditions where flooding is likely, here is a quick guide on what to do.
First actions
- Keep children and pets away from the flooded areas
- If it's safe to do so, isolate all electrical circuits by turning off the supply at the circuit board or fuse box
- Contact your insurance provider to report the damage and make a claim (keep receipts of emergency expenses). Any claims for loss or damage must be directed to your insurance provider
- If it's safe to do so, take photos of the flooded area – these could support your insurance claim
- If you live in a rented property, you should contact your landlord and let them know
Health precautions
Flood water from the sewerage system or rivers may be contaminated with bacteria and other pollutants, which could be a public health risk. Your home will need to be cleaned and disinfected.
If your garden is or has been flooded, avoid this area and especially contact with plants and soil. Paving and other hard surfaces might need to be disinfected.
If you are older, disabled, or vulnerable, you may be at greater risk of becoming unwell with bacterial infections or hypothermia.
You should:
- wear warm, dry, waterproof clothing and wellies
- keep cuts and grazes clean and covered with waterproof plasters
- wash your hands with clean water and anti-bacterial soap
- dispose of any food, including tins, that have come into contact with flood water
- contact your GP if you feel unwell
You should not:
- allow children to play in flood waters
If you are on a private water supply (non-mains) you should assume the supply may have been contaminated and is not fit to use without boiling.
Actions following flooding
- If there's still water in your property, the fire service might be able to pump it out using high-volume pumps. However, the first priority for the fire service is responding to emergencies and will respond to those first. You can also hire pumps yourself, but you might need a permit to pump water into rivers or sewers.
- If you can't safely stay in your home, you should discuss alternative accommodation with your insurance company
- If you do not have insurance, and you are unable to remain in your property you should contact the Housing Advice Team on 01476 40 60 80, out of hours this is 01476 40 60 40
Council Properties
If you rent your home from the council and your home has been flooded, you will need to contact the Housing Team on 01476 40 60 80, out of hours this is 01476 40 60 40.
Even if your home wasn’t flooded but your garden was, and you are not on mains sewerage and have either a cesspit or septic tank you should contact the Housing Team as it is likely the tank is flooded, and your drainage will not be working correctly.
Please follow the advice above in relation to health and hygiene.
Private Rented Accommodation
If you rent your property from a housing association or a private landlord, you will need to make them aware of the situation as they are responsible for the building. However, any items that are damaged within the property may not be covered by the landlord’s insurance and you should contact your own insurance provider.
Please follow the advice above in relation to health and hygiene.
Clear up
If you have home insurance then the first thing you should do is contact them and follow their advice.
If you do not have insurance and you need advice on clear up relating to health concerns of sewage contamination then contact the Public Protection Team on 01476 40 60 80.
There are some things you can do to help protect you and your family following an internal flood.
These include:
- Wash down all surfaces with a disinfectant
- Any taps which have been submerged in flood water should be cleaned using a bleach solution and run for 30 seconds prior to the water being used
- Wash clothing, bedding and other soft furnishings on a hot wash
- Remove any soft furnishings that have been damaged beyond repair from the affected area to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria. Do not dispose of anything if you intend to make an insurance claim
- Allow everything to dry thoroughly and safely keep the area well ventilated
- Disposal of ALL food in contact with flood water (even if sealed/canned)
- Dispose of any wooden equipment like wooden utensils and chopping boards. Crockery that has chips or is badly damaged should also be disposed of
- If fridges or freezers have been switched off you will need to consider disposing of food. Food in a freezer can remain frozen for up to 24 hours, the fuller the freezer the longer the contents will remain frozen. If the fridge has not been working for more than 4 hours throw the food away
- Make sure that you wash your hands regularly
If your garden has been affected
- Leave lawns and borders to recover naturally. The UV rays from the sun will destroy bacteria over time
- Do not attempt to dig or rake any lawns and borders – this can spread the bacteria further into the turf which can enhance the bacteria
- Do not excessively hose lawns and borders as this will saturate the ground and prolong the life of the bacteria
Home-grown fresh fruit and vegetables
If fresh produce that you are growing, either to sell or for your own consumption, is contaminated by floodwater, this is our advice.
For fruit and vegetables to be eaten raw:
- throw away any produce that has come into contact with flood water if it is to be eaten raw such as lettuce or strawberries
- it’s fine to eat produce that is growing above the water and has not come into contact with flood water, such as fruit on trees
Fruit or vegetables to be eaten raw and planted after flooding should not be harvested for at least six months after the floodwater has receded. This is to make sure that any harmful germs in the soil from the flood water won’t survive and contaminate the produce.
If the growing cycle of the crop is shorter than six months, delay replanting. It’s important to ensure that harvesting does not take place until six months after the floodwater receded.
You do not need to delay re-planting if the growing cycle is six months or more, or if the fruit and vegetables will be cooked before being eaten.
You can eat fruit and vegetables that are going to be cooked, even if they’ve been in contact with flood water. This is because cooking will kill any harmful germs that might be present. Remember to:
- wash fruit and veg thoroughly before storing, preparing or cooking them, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination
- pay attention to removing any visible soil, preferably outside the home
- always wash your hands before and after handling produce
If you need any more information, speak to the environmental health service at your local authority.
Cesspits and Septic tanks
If your property has been flooded it is highly likely that your Cesspit or Septic tank has been flooded if you are not on mains sewers.
You will need to arrange for the tank to be emptied and you may need to have a specialist check to ensure the septic tank soak away does not need replacing.
