Before, during and after a flood

Call 999 if there is a danger to life.

Before a Flood: PREPARE

1. Stay informed: Monitor weather forecasts and flood warnings issued by the Met Office and Natural Resources Wales. For more information on how to sign up for these free alerts and warnings you can view our page here.
2. Check your Flood Risk: You can learn more about the flood risk in your area on our page here.
3. Create a Flood Plan: Develop a flood plan for your household and/or business. You can use our guide here on how to create a flood plan or follow the steps that Natural Resources Wales have produced here.
4. Prepare a Flood Kit: Assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies, including, change of clothes, non-perishable food, drinking water, medication, first aid items, torches, batteries, a battery-powered radio, important documents, and a waterproof container. You can download our PDF of what to pack in a Flood Kit.
5. Survey your property: A surveyor can identify ways in which floodwater could enter your property and advise on the best ways to protect your property. Consider getting a chartered surveyor to carry out a flood survey.
6. Secure your property: Take measures to protect your property, such as installing flood barriers, sealing cracks in walls or floors, and raising electrical sockets, switches, and appliances above expected flood levels. You can learn more about protecting your property on our page here.
7. Check your insurance: Ensure that you have suitable insurance to cover your building and contents for flood damage (ask your insurer, landlord or letting agent). You can learn more about Flood Insurance on our page here.
8. Safeguard important documents: Store important documents, such as identification, insurance policies, and property records, in a waterproof and easily accessible location. Consider keeping digital copies or storing them off-site.
9. Know who to contact and how: Ensure you have important numbers saved in your phone and it has sufficient charge.

During a Flood: ACT

1. Stay alert: Keep monitoring flood warnings and updates through local radio, news outlets, or official social media channels. For information about the live flooding situation and advice call Floodline: 0345 988 1188 or Type talk: 0345 602 6340 (for the hard of hearing).
2. Activate your Flood Plan: Follow the steps in your personal / business flood plan. You can use our guide on how to create a flood plan or follow steps that Natural Resources Wales have produced.
3. Deploy PFR equipment: PFR refers to Property Flood Resilience and Resistance which include measures such as expandable flood barriers and other equipment to reduce and manage the risk of floodwater entering your property. You can learn more about these measures here.
4. Get your Flood Kit ready: Keep it nearby in case you are evacuated and make sure people in your household know where to find it.
5. Move your valuables: Move any valuable items and important documents upstairs (where possible) or raise them off the ground.
6. Disconnect utilities: Turn off gas, electricity, and water supply if safe to do so. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are standing in water or are wet.
7. Move to a safe space: If safe to do so and if evacuation is not required, move to the highest level of your property. Avoid ground-level rooms and stay away from windows and doors.
8. Pets and Animals: If possible, move your pets upstairs or to higher ground with you and make sure they have food, bedding, and toys. You can learn more about what to do with pets in a flood through the RSPCA and Blue Cross.
9. Neighbours: Help anyone nearby that you know may be less able, such as the elderly or disabled, but only if it is safe to do so, if not, make the emergency services aware.
10. Move your car: If safe to do so move your car to higher ground.
11. Sandbags: The Council makes sandbags available to residents during emergency situations only. Residents who are aware that their homes are at a high risk of flooding, e.g., as a result of the close proximity to a watercourse, are advised to purchase property flood resilience and/or resistance (PFR) measures to reduce the risk and manage the impact of flood water entering their property. You can learn more about protecting your property on our page.
12. Travel Information: Always consider whether your journey is essential. If it is necessary and safe to drive, plan your route carefully before you set off and listen to weather and travel reports beforehand and during your journey. You can view more advice about driving in a flood from the DVLA here.
13. Follow official guidance: Listen to the Council and emergency services for instructions and follow their advice without delay. If an evacuation order is issued, leave the area immediately and follow designated evacuation routes.
14. Avoid floodwater: Do not attempt to walk or drive through or near flood water. It may be deeper or swifter than it appears, and there may be hidden hazards. Wash your hand thoroughly if you come into contact with flood water.

After a Flood: RECOVER

1. Stay Safe: Flood water is often contaminated and can mask hidden dangers such as sharp objects and raised manhole covers.         
2. Report flooding: If your property has flooded you can find out the relevant Risk Management Authority to contact on our page here.
3. Finding somewhere to stay: If there is significant flood damage to your property, stay with friends or family or contact the Council or insurance company to help you find alternative accommodation. Shelter Cymru provide free, independent housing advice online or call 08000 495 495. The British Red Cross can also help with transport, welfare, and food parcels.
4. Wait for authorities to declare it safe: Do not return home until the emergency services declare it safe to do so. Be cautious about structural damage, electrical hazards, or contamination.
5. Document the damage: Take photographs or videos of the flood damage for insurance purposes. Make a list of any damaged items and their approximate value.
6. Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance provider about the flood damage as soon as possible. Follow their instructions for filing a claim and provide the necessary documentation. You can do this for both your home and car insurance. You can find out more about making an insurance claim on our flood insurance page.
7. Clean and disinfect: Thoroughly clean and disinfect your property, especially if there has been contamination from sewage or other hazardous substances. Wear protective gear during the clean-up process. Further information on cleaning up after a Flood can be found from Public Health Wales here.
8. Consult professionals for repairs: Engage with qualified professionals for necessary repairs and restoration work. Avoid DIY repairs if you are unsure of the proper procedures.
9. Review and improve resilience measures: Assess the effectiveness of your flood resilience measures and consider implementing additional measures or improvements to minimise future flood risks. You can learn more about resilience measures for your property on the Blue Pages here and the National Flood Forum here.
10. Physical and Mental Health Support: Flooding and the associated damage can have more than just a physical impact. If you are suffering with mental health after being flooded, you can find advice and support on our Mental Health page here.

Remember, personal safety should always be the top priority during a flood. Follow the guidance of the Council and emergency services and take appropriate actions to protect yourself and your loved ones.

For further information on what to do before, during and after a flood you can visit Natural Resources Wales dedicated webpage here and view their “How to prepare for flooding” leaflet here.