The general advice given from the Environment Agency when you hear a flood warning is to:
- Listen out for warnings on radio and TV and phone Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for more information.
- Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety.
- Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly.
- Put sandbags or flood boards in place - but make sure your property is ventilated.
- Plug sinks/baths and put a sandbag in the toilet bowl to prevent backflow.
- Be ready to turn off gas and electricity (get help if needed). Unplug electrical items and move them upstairs if possible.
- Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities - you may be evacuated to a rest centre.
- Do as much as you can in daylight. Doing anything in the dark will be a lot harder, especially if the electricity fails.
Floodline Warnings Direct
The Environment Agency uses the Floodline Warnings Direct (FWD) system to send messages to customers to warn them about flooding from rivers and the sea.
The Environrment Agency has changed its flood codes to make them clearer to understand and more visible. The messages provide more relevant and local information, are simpler to understand, and clearer about what actions to take.
There are three types of warning - Flood Alert, Flood Warning and Severe Flood Warning.
A Severe Flood Warning is used when there is a significant risk to life or significant disruption to communities and we need to encourage customers to take action to protect themselves and follow the advice of the emergency services.
To check if you are at risk from flooding or to find out if you can register for our free Floodline Warnings Direct service, please call the Environment Agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or click: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodnorthwest (external link) You can also request or download a personal flood plan template, find general advice and information about flooding.
