Flood recovery advice and guidance

Identifying the source of flooding is often complicated by different sources acting together, but it is an important step in determining who might be able to help and where legal responsibility lies.

If you are having problems establishing responsibility for managing flood risk or need advice on setting up a local flood group to make your community more resilient, email floodriskmanagement@northyorks.gov.uk with the following information, if possible:

• if there has been flooding inside a property;
• how often flooding has occurred (provide dates, if possible); and
• where you think the water is coming from.

Safety must be your first priority, so take care, stay dry and keep warm. Please also consider the following:

• Check on vulnerable neighbours who might need your help.
• If your property floods before you have turned off the gas and electricity supply, DO NOT then attempt to do so.
• Six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you off your feet. Try not to walk through and NEVER swim through floodwater. You could be hit by debris in the water or swept away with the current.
• Shallower floodwater can be hazardous, too. You may stumble over raised or open manhole covers or other unseen hazards.
• Any floodwater can be contaminated with sewage or chemicals.
• Do not raise manhole covers to drain away floodwater. The resulting back-flow may contain sewage.
• Never take chances near sea defences or riverbanks or cross river bridges. Stay well away.
• If the level gets high, cover your toilet with a sandbag to avoid back-flowing sewage.
• Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities. If properties need to be evacuated, your local council will have opened a reception centre.
• Listen to your local BBC radio station and listen for loud hailer announcements.
• If you need to vacate your property, make sure all doors and windows are secured. Take all valuables and cash together with important medicines, a change of clothing and necessary supplies for babies and small children.
• If you leave home independently to go to relatives or friends, let the police or district council know where you have gone.
• Notify your insurance company via their emergency telephone number, if necessary, that you will probably need to make a claim. They will advise you.
• You should not return to your home before it has been properly cleaned, dried and made safe.

You may find it useful to print and keep these points somewhere nearby as you may not have access to your computer if your property starts to flood.

• Listen to local radio.
• Watch national and local television news and weather.
• Keep a list of useful telephone numbers handy, such as your district council, Floodline and your insurance company.
• Discuss with your family what might happen.
• Fully charge your mobile phone.
• Ensure you have bottled water and food that does not need not to be cooked.
• Become familiar with the Environment Agency flood warning code system and how to access it. Phone Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the Environment Agency website for more information.
• Put your car on higher ground if possible. It needs only two feet of water to float away.
• Have sandbags or flood boards ready. You can make your own sandbags or see if your district council can supply them or visit the National Flood Forum's Blue Pages for flood boards and other products. You will probably need to discuss this with neighbours. For example, if you live in a terraced property, the entire row will need to plan defences. Sandbags will degrade over time and need to be checked regularly.
• Consider how you might live upstairs.
• Consider your pets and livestock and what could happen to them in a flood.

Think about your garden and garage:

• What electrical sources do you have externally?
• Do you have fungicides or garden chemicals in sheds or garages that could contaminate the floodwater and therefore the water courses?
• Can you fit non-return valves on outside taps?
• Where can you put garden machinery, buoyant garden ornaments and toys?
• Decide how to protect the glass in your greenhouse with sandbags.
• Weigh down any manhole covers with sandbags.

The Environment Agency will be able to confirm whether you live on a flood plain. Please contact them via their website or by ringing the Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

If you do live in a flood plain, you need to plan ahead:

• Do you have adequate building and contents insurance? The Association of British Insurers will be helpful, as will your own insurer.
• Look at your property. Can you help to protect it by landscaping banks around the perimeter or by strengthening boundary walls?
• Obtain advice on covers for air bricks and door protectors. There are many products on the market designed to protect your home. The National Flood Forum's Blue Pages provide a directory of products and services.
• Keep gullies clear of debris and leaves.