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Flood Safety and Preparedness: Before the Flood

For more detailed information download the Environment Agency booklet 'What to do before, during, and after a flood' by clicking HERE.

Severe Weather Safety and Advice From SkyWarn UK

Did you know that there are actually three main types of flood? These are river floods, flash floods, and coastal floods.

River Floods

River flooding is a high flow or overflow of river water that normally develops relatively slowly, perhaps over a period of several days. It is often caused by a prolonged period of heavy, persistent rain falling within the rivers catchment area. It can also be caused or made worse by seasonal snowmelt in hilly or mountainous areas. River floods can affect people many miles away from where the heavy rain may have fallen. Such flooding can also be the most persistent, lasting for several days or more in severe cases. An example of river flooding would be the Gloucestershire floods of july 2007.

Flash Floods

Flash floods can occur very quickly, often in a matter of just a few hours and occasionally even quicker. Thse floods are often caused by sudden, very heavy rainfall. Flash floods can be both powerful and devestating, rolling large boulders, sweeping away cars, and damaging bridges and other structures in its path. Flash floods may develop within minutes, and sometimes without any sign of rain. The 2004 floods in Boscastle are an example of flash flooding.

Coastal Floods

Coastal floods are usually caused when high winds push water on to the coast from the sea, bays, or inlets. Around the UK, the east coast is most at risk of coastal flooding due to its low-lying nature and the geography of the North Sea. an example of coastal flooding would be the Great North Sea Flood of 1953. Coastal flooding can also be a result of a tsunami triggered by an undersea earthquake or landslide.

Know Your Flood Warning Codes

Anticipating A Flood

There are specific weather events you should watch for that indicate a heightened risk of flooding. These include:

  • Unusually heavy rain persisting for several hours, or steady but substantial rain lasting several days
  • Intense Atlantic low pressure systems that may push high tides onto the coast
  • Rains falling in conjunction with a thaw of lying snow
  • Rapidly rising water levels in nearby streams and rivers

Protect Your Family and Home

You should make a plan to protect the things and the people important to you before a flood occurs.

  • Complete a personal flood plan - available from the Environment Agency by clicking HERE
  • Decide where you and your family will go in the event of a flood. This should include where you will go if you are at home, school, or work
  • Assemble a family disaster and emergency supplies kit
  • Take photographs of your valuables and store them safely and securely, ideally in a fire- and flood-proof place. You should also consider storing important documents such as birth certifiactes, insurance documents, and the like in this safe place.
  • Check what is covered by your insurance policies and ensure you have adequate cover
  • Locate and mark where shut-off valves are for utilities including gas, electrcity, and water. This will make it quicker and easier to switch off these supplies in the event of an emergency.
  • Familiarise yourself with local emergency agencies and ensure you have contact numbers for these - such as local police, fire, and flood authorities.
  • Make sure that you charge your mobile phone, laptop, and any other mobile device batteries before the flood arrives if you are able to do so

Make Home Improvements to Reduce Loss

  • The Environment Agency has produced a leaflet giving detailed instructions on how best to prepare your property to reduce the risk of loss. It can be found HERE.
  • Move appliances to higher ground or upper floors to avoid costly replacements or repairs
  • Consider installing check-valves in your drainage outlets to help reduce the risk of flood water back-up
  • Clear guttering, drains, and downpipes of debris to aid drainage
  • If you live in a particularly low-lying area and in close proximity to a water course, consider investing in sump pumps and check they work on a regular basis
  • If electrical circuits and sockets are likely to become submerged, switch of the supply at the main breaker
  • Raise appliances and furniture at least 12 inches higher than the expected flood level if at all possible

Stay Alert for Floods

To ensure you receive the latest flood updates it is important to have more than one source of information. Consider the following options:

  • Sign-up for the Environment Agency Floodlines Warning Direct service
  • Monitor the latest weather forecasts and news bulletins
  • Have a bettery powered radio to ensure you can listen to the latest broadcasts for your area
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