Flooding can come from several sources: coastal, rivers or surface water. 42,500 properties are potentially at risk of flooding in Norfolk. Over 5 million people in England and Wales live and work in properties that are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. There are a number of things you can do in advance to prepare for flooding and minimise the impact.
What can you do?
✔ Check with the Environment Agency to find out if your home/business is at risk of flooding.
✔ Register to receive alerts of potential river or coastal flooding on Floodline Warnings Direct via the Environment Agency
✔ Get to know the flood warning codes and what they mean at www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk
✔ Consider whether to buy flood protection equipment to protect your home
✔ Make sure your mobile is fully charged before possible loss of power
✔ Put together your Grab Bag and prepare your Household Emergency Plan
✔ Listen to your local radio for up to date information and weather updates
Remember: make sure that you take some action when you receive a flood warning message. It is a free resource so make sure you use the luxury of time!
Insurance
✔ Are you adequately covered for flood risks?
✔ Do you have ’new’ for ‘old’ cover?
✔ Are your home contents correctly valued?
✔ Is your vehicle/caravan covered for flood damage?
✔ Keep details of insurance documents in your Emergency Kit
✔ Take photos of your valuables and store them in your emergency kit with your important documents
✔ If you suffer damage due to flooding, take photos of damaged items to help support any insurance claim
If you do need to have damage to your property repaired, beware of rogue traders. Consider using a Norfolk Trusted Trader. Call Trading Standards on 0344 800 8020 or visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/trustedtrader for more information.
Prepare a plan
You can find a household emergency plan template on the Norfolk Prepared website. Your household emergency plan should include details of:
✔ Your key contact numbers and details ie house insurance details
✔ How will you receive flood warnings?
✔ Where will you put flood defences if you have them and need to put them up?
✔ Where will you evacuate to if you have to leave your home?
✔ How will you protect your possessions such as furniture etc?
✔ How will you protect your valuable and irreplaceable items?
✔ How will you protect your pets?
