Safety in severe weather conditions

Stay safe by following our advice when there is floodwater in your homes or on the road.

Be prepared for severe weather

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

If you’re unsure whether there is a risk of flooding in your area, you can find out more by visiting the Government website.

A flooded village with murky water through the streets.

Floodwater

Flooding at home or at your business

  1. If you don’t know your flood risk already, check if you are at risk using the government’s postcode search.
  2. Sign up for free flood warnings: if you live or own a business in an area at risk of flooding you could get 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 that is at risk of flooding, then it’s important to have a personal flood plan. You can download a template for this from the government website. 

For more advice around 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 – your local council may provide these, but there may be limited amounts. 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 lots of 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.

Staying safe if there's a power cut

Storms and severe weather can bring power cuts. Use battery-operated tea lights or a standing electric torch, as candles are a fire risk.

A battery-powered tea light

Flooding on the roads

It’s important that you don’t make any unnecessarily trips in bad weather conditions. You could not only harm yourself but others too.

Never drive through floodwater. Vehicles can become stuck and even swept away in just 30cm of flowing water.

When 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 water moving fast can sweep you off your feet. There may also 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.