In this guide:
- How to find out if there will be a flood
- What to do when floods are forecast
- What to do during a flood
- What to do after a flood
- How to make an insurance claim for flood damage
How to find out if there will be a flood
For local flood warnings delivered to your phone, sign up online for local flood warnings:
What to do when floods are forecast
-
Make an emergency kit
If you get trapped in your home by a flood, you’ll need some essentials to keep you going. Find a bag or box and consider packing:
- Food that won’t need to be stored in the fridge
- Bottles of water
- Any medicines you’ve been prescribed
- Waterproof clothing
- Radio with batteries
-
Pick up your phone
Keep your phone charged – you might need it to call for help later. Let friends and loved ones know about the flood alert and your plans. Message your neighbours to make sure they’re safe and prepared. If you’ve got Swiftcover home insurance, you might want to add our claims number in case you need to make a claim for damage after the flood.
-
Prepare your home
Now’s the time to close flood gates, put down sandbags and block plug holes around your home. These will all help to stop water getting into your home.
Take important documents, photos and things you need to keep dry, upstairs or somewhere high up.
If you’ve got curtains, wrap them around the pole. Keeping them off the floor could protect them from getting damaged.
If you’re leaving your home, switch off your gas, electricity and water.
What to do during a flood
- Follow advice from emergency services. If they tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Avoid flood water whenever you can. There may be hazards in or under the water that make you trip or make you sick. If you touch flood water, wash and disinfect when you can.
What to do after a flood
If you’ve got home insurance and your home’s been damaged, get in touch with them to start a claim. Your insurer might be able to help you dry out your home and send a loss adjuster to visit.
They may ask you to take photos or arrange a video call so they can see the extent of the damage.
Don’t use your gas or electricity until it’s been checked by your utilities company.
Take down your flood defences. If your sandbags have gotten wet, contact your local council about how to dispose of them.
How to make an insurance claim for flood damage
Need to make a claim? We’re here to help.
You can log in to make a claim online, 24/7 - or talk to our friendly team. We’re here to take your call Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, and 9am to 1pm on bank holidays. You can leave a message outside of these hours and we’ll call you back when we can.