Safety in severe weather conditions

Stay safe by following our advice when there are floods or power cuts in your area.

 

A flooded village with murky water through the streets.

Prepare for stormy weather

You can keep up to date with the latest weather warnings on the Met Office website.

Find out if there is a risk of flooding in your area by visiting the Government website or calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

Staying safe if there's a power cut

Storms and severe weather can cause power cuts. Use a standing electric torch or battery-powered lights, because candles are a fire risk. You can keep up to date with information about a power cut on the National Grid (formerly Western Power) or Scottish and Southern Electricity Network websites depending on where you live.

Electricity pylons at sunset

Floodwater

Flood risks and warnings

  1. Check your flood risk using the government’s postcode search.
  2. Sign up for free flood warnings, which could save your life or property.
  3. Plan ahead and know what to do in a flood: download the Environment Agency’s ‘Prepare Act Survive’ flood guide.

If you’re in an area at risk of flooding, it’s important to have a personal flood plan. You can download a template for this from the government website.

For more advice about preparing for a flood, visit the Environment Agency's website.

Flood protection equipment

To prevent floodwater from entering your home, you can get the following flood protection equipment.

  • Floodboards – these fix to window and door frames. They can be washed, stored and used again. You should always remove flood protection equipment once the floodwater has gone, to help your home dry out.
  • Plastic covers to seal airbricks.
  • Sandbags – we don't provide sandbags but your local council might. They may only have limited amounts though. You can buy your own sand and bags, or fill pillowcases and plastic bags with soil.

The National Flood Forum is a charity to help, support and represent people at risk of flooding. They have advice on their website.

After flooding

If your home has been damaged by a flood, follow the safety tips on the Electrical Safety first website.

If there is water entering your property due to rainfall or leaks from a flat above you, you will need to carry out immediate repairs. If water mixes with electricity this could be fatal.

Flooding on the roads

  • Never drive through floodwater
  • Don’t make unnecessarily trips in bad weather conditions. You could harm yourself and others too.
  • Vehicles can become stuck and even swept away in just 30cm of flowing water.

If we attend incidents where vehicles are trapped in floodwater, we are unavailable to help others who may be in greater danger.
 

A red car, a blue car, and a white car, all submerged in flood water.

Staying safe in floodwater

  • Respect road closure signs, whether you’re driving or walking.
  • Don’t attempt to walk through flooded areas. Even shallow moving water can sweep you off your feet.
  • There may be hidden dangers like open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels. These can cause serious injuries or even death.
  • Don’t smoke, eat or drink while in contact with floodwater, and wash your hands afterwards as the water may be contaminated.
  • If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and find safety on higher ground.
  • Keep children and vulnerable people out of floodwater.

What to do if there’s a fire

  1. Get out of the building, closing any doors behind you.
  2. Stay out of the building.
  3. Call 999 and ask for the fire service.