Flooding

Communities living and working in the Humber area could be at risk of flooding. Investment in flood defences and emergency preparedness means communities are better protected now than ever before, but floods can still happen at any time. The emergency response agencies will do all they can to help our communities, but they also rely on local people being ready to help themselves.

Let’s get ready for flooding leaflet

This leaflet outlines some simple steps you can take to prepare for a flood. A few minutes thinking about it now could make a big difference in helping to keep you and your family safe.

Practical steps to take before flooding

It’s important to know what practical steps you can take to protect yourself, your property and your possessions should flooding be imminent.

Before flooding

• Sign up for flood warnings – call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or visit www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
• Check if your insurance covers flooding
• Know where to turn off your water gas and electrics.
• If you needed to leave your home, think about where you would go to and what you would need to take with you
• Have a conversation with your family and friends about what you would need to do
• Think about what will happen to your pets if you need to evacuate.
• Think about how you could stop water entering your home

Immediately before a flood

• Turn off electricity, water and gas supplies
• Lift curtains over rails above flood water levels
• Use any measures you have to stop water entering your property, such as door guards or air brick covers
• Move important items to safety
• Lift rugs and smaller furniture upstairs or on to tables or worktops if possible
• Get your flood kit together and prepare to move from your home
• Move your car to higher ground
• Make sure your mobile phone or devices are charged
• Use items such as tins or wellingtons to lift and protect furniture

When a flood happens

• Evacuate if flood water enters your property to keep family and pets safe. Take your flood kit with you.
• Do not walk or drive through flood water.
• Do not put yourself or others at risk
• Lety your family or friends know you are safe.
• Check they are safe too.

We’ve put together a leaflet for you to read before a flood that explains:

• the main safety messages to take into account
• what to do should your property be about to flood
• what you can do if you have some time before your property floods

Let’s get ready for flooding leaflet

Practical steps when using sandbags

We would always encourage people to invest in purpose made flood protection products to protect their property. However, this isn’t always possible at short notice and sandbags may be the only option. Sandbags are only effective if used properly, for this reason we’ve produced a leaflet which explains how to place sandbags to get the most out of them and about how to dispose of them after flooding.

Practical steps on placing sandbags

Practical steps on recovering from flooding

Flood Alert – Flooding is possible

What is at Risk

• fields, recreational land and carparks
• minor roads
• farmland
• coastal areas affected by spray or waves overtopping

What should you do

• be ready to follow your flood plan
• have insurance documents and any medications ready
• avoid walking, cycling or driving through any flood water
• move any livestock and farming equipment away from areas likely to flood

Flood Warning – Flooding is Expected

What is at Risk

• homes and businesses
• railway lines and infrastructure
• roads
• coastal areas affected by spray or waves overtopping
• flood plains, including caravan parks and campsites
• major tourist and leisure attractions

What should you do

• protect yourself and your loved ones
• move your loved ones, pets and valuables to a safe place
• move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building
• turn off the gas, electricity and water in your home if it’s safe
• put flood protection equipment in place
• do as the emergency services tell you
• help others if it’s safe to do so

Severe Flood Warning – Flooding could be a risk to life and significant disruption to communities

The following may happened during a severe flood warning:

• deep and fast-flowing water
• dangerous debris in the water
• buildings collapsing or at risk of collapsing
• communities unable to escape
• infrastructure not working, like gas, electricity and water
• The evacuation of lots of people

What should you do

• stay in a safe place
• be ready to evacuate your home
• do as the emergency services tell you
• call 999 if you are in immediate danger
• if you are caught in a flash flood move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building if it’s safe