Prepare your property for a flood
To prepare your property and furniture when a flood has been forecast, you can:
- Roll up carpets and rugs and move them upstairs or as high as possible.
- Empty furniture drawers and low cupboards.
- Take furniture, valuable items and important documents upstairs, if possible.
- Weigh down furniture which is too heavy to move to stop it from floating away and damaging walls and windows.
- Fasten plastic bags around the legs of wooden furniture to help minimise absorption of water.
- Take down curtains or wrap them round the curtain pole.
- Use waterproof tape on cracks around external doors and gaps in bricks, but ensure your property is still ventilated.
- Contact your insurers. They'll advise you of any actions you need to take to keep your insurance valid.
- Take photos of your property and contents now, before any flood occurs.
Preparing your gas and electric when a flood has been forecast
To prepare your gas and electric when a flood has been forecast, you can:
- Unplug electrical equipment and move computers and other electrical equipment upstairs or as high as possible.
- Turn off mains gas and electricity.
Preparing your drains and water supply when a flood has been forecast
To prepare your drains and water supply for a flood, you can:
- Clear house gullies and drains of debris and leaves to help floodwater drain away.
- Put plugs in sinks and baths and weigh them down with something heavy.
- Turn off water if you're advised to do so by the authorities.