Dealing with a flood
A guide to dealing with river and coastal flooding.
FOR ADVANCE FLOOD WARNINGS
Dealing with flood waters
and the potential hazards.
The frequency of floods has risen dramatically
in Scotland over recent years. Although we can’t
prevent them, you can limit the impact they may
have on your home or business. This SEPA guide
provides useful information and advice about what to do during and after a flooding event. So please
read it carefully.
For information on what to do before the event,
please refer to SEPA’s ‘Prepare for flooding’ leaflet.
What should I do during a flood?
Put your safety first.
Floods can be fatal and present many
hidden dangers. Always put your safety
first and remember the following:
Don’t try to walk, drive or swim
through a flood.
• No matter how small the amount
of water, the current could still be
strong.
• There will be holes and hazards
below water level that you can’t see.
• You could get hit by an object as it’s
swept away.
Don’t walk on sea defences, riverbanks
or across river bridges.
• They can collapse.
• You could be hit by waves or rocks.
Avoid any form of direct contact with
flood water.
• It may be contaminated with sewage.
Stay away from power lines and
electrical wires.
• They could collapse into the water.
Pay attention to flood warning messages from SEPA.
• C
all Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit www.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates.
• Check weather reports regularly.
• Remember the flood warning symbols and what they mean, refer to the SEPA
‘Floodline Service’ leaflet for full details.
Put your flood plan into practice.
• M
ove pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety.
• Check that your neighbours are aware of the flood warning and are safe,
particularly if they are elderly or infirm.
• Put flood protection measures in place, but make sure your property is still
ventilated.
• Charge mobile phones.
• Keep your household flood kit with you.
• If you have a business, activate the business flood plan.
• Be prepared to turn off your gas and electricity and unplug electrical items.
Move them upstairs if possible.
• Co-operate with emergency services/local authorities
and prepare for evacuation.
• F
ill the bath, sinks and jugs with clean water and keep bottled water handy.
• Do as much as you can during daylight – if power supplies are cut, you will be in
darkness at night.
For more information on flood protection
measures and flood kits, refer to the
SEPA ‘Prepare for Flooding’ leaflet.
Find out the Floodline quick dial code for your local flood area at
www.sepa.org.uk/quickdialcodes
What should I do after a flood?
Make an insurance claim.
• C
all your insurance company’s claim line as soon as possible. They’ll give you
information on dealing with your claim and help to get things back to normal.
The Scottish Flood Forum also offers practical advice and support on insurance
issues, for more information visit www.scottishfloodforum.org or call 01738
448411.
• Keep all correspondence to and from insurers and loss adjusters.
• Keep a record of flood damage, with photographic or video evidence if possible.
• If serious repairs are needed, beware of bogus tradesman and always check
references. Your insurer or loss adjuster can give advice on reputable contractors.
• Check with your insurer if you move into alternative accommodation reasonable costs are normally covered under your household policy.
• Make sure your insurance company knows how to contact you if you have to
move out of your home.
FOR ADVANCE FLOOD WARNINGS
Cleaning up.
• C
heck with your local authority or look under ‘Flood damage’ in the phone
book for suppliers of cleaning materials or equipment to dry out your property.
• Start emergency pumping and repair work immediately to protect your property
from further damage. You can do this without insurer approval but remember to
get receipts. The Scottish Flood Forum can offer further advice.
• Open doors and windows to ventilate the building,
taking care to keep your house and valuables
secure.
• Contact your gas, electricity and water
suppliers to have them checked before
you turn them back on.
• Throw away food, baby clothes,
toys, medicines and cosmetics
which may have been
contaminated by flood water.
• Wear rubber gloves and watch
for broken glass and nails.
Cover any cuts with waterproof
dressings.
• Re-stock your supplies –
flooding can happen again.
Get advice and support.
• T
he Scottish Flood Forum is an independent community-based organisation
representing those affected by, or at risk from, flooding. They can also offer
advice on flood protection products, insurance claims and general support for
communities who have suffered from flooding. They can be contacted on
01738 448411 or visit www.scottishfloodforum.org
• The Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help if you feel under pressure;
your local office can be found in the phone book.
Additional advice for businesses.
After a flood, you’ll want to get back to business as quickly as possible.
It’s important that you take the appropriate steps and comply with the
relevant waste regulations.
De-contamination of equipment and supplies.
If you find that you are left with contaminated equipment and supplies, you must
contact your environmental health department for advice.
Waste disposal.
If items or stock are contaminated, or damaged beyond repair, you have a duty of
care by law to ensure that they are handled safely by authorised waste disposal
contractors.
The following categories require special attention:
• special waste (also known as ‘Hazardous’ waste)
• food waste
• oil
• vehicles
• electrical and electronic equipment
Agriculture.
The effects of flooding on livestock and land present their own environmental risks
and issues. So it’s important to remember the following:
• Water contamination is possible when manure, slurry, milk spillages, pesticides
or animal carcasses come into contact with rivers and streams.
• Don’t let livestock drink flood water - it may contain silt, fuel, sewage and other
pollutants.
Proper disposal via an authorised waste contractor is essential. Your local SEPA
office can give you advice or you can visit www.sepa.org.uk/wasteregulation
Further help and support
You can download the ‘Prepare for Flooding’ leaflet from the SEPA website
at www.sepa.org.uk/floodingpublications
5 key things to remember.
1. Stay safe - floods are dangerous
2.Check Floodline regularly via 0845 988 1188
or visit www.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates
3. Activate your flood plan
4. Contact the Scottish Flood Forum for help and support
5. Visit www.sepa.org.uk/flooding for more information
www.floodlinescotland.org.uk
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