Southampton City Council fact sheet
The Environment Agency have the latest information on their website for all areas of the country. Advice is also given on what to expect and how you can help yourself.
Flooding can occur anywhere, even if you live inland or away from watercourses, because the drainage system can be overwhelmed by the amount of water it is expected to carry. In addition, when the ground is saturated even small amounts of rainfall will have difficulty draining away from gardens and enclosed spaces.
Dependant on the scale and locations of floods, roads may be blocked and resources limited. It is the responsibility of the owner to protect their own property and there are a number of things people can do for themselves to prepare for flooding:
Things to consider in advance:
• seek the best possible insurance cover for your home and contents,
• put together a home emergency pack - to include a battery radio and a torch (with spare batteries), necessary medication, emergency numbers, rubber gloves and your insurance policy - and keep it in a safe, accessible place.
• Make sure you know how to turn off your electricity, gas and water
• Check whether your property is in a Flood Zone: Environment Agency Flood Maps and register for the Environment Agency flood warning service if it is available.
Precautions and advice for if flooding looks likely:
• Move valuables, food and other possessions upstairs where possible.
• Turn off gas and electricity if flooding is imminent
• Assume that flood water contains sewage.
• Have a supply of drinking water in clean bottles or similar containers.
• Fill the bath and buckets with water for washing etc.
• Protect doorways and low level vents with sandbags or alternatives - If you have no sandbags; improvise. It is very unlikely that the council or anyone else will be able to provide sandbags quickly enough in a real emergency. Bin liners or plastic carrier bags filled with soil dug from your garden will serve the same purpose. Grow bags are the right shape and light enough to be carried around easily.
• Check that neighbours know about any flood warnings issued.
For further information on flooding precautions or what to do in the event of flooding visit:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/floods
www3.hants.gov.uk/emergency_flooding.htm
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Last updated: 17 June 2008