Prepare for flooding

Check flood warnings and weather alerts first

The most important thing you can do is sign up for flood warnings and keep up to date with severe weather alerts.

• Register for flood warnings and check your flood risk: Flood warnings and flood risk information
• Check weather forecasts and severe weather warnings: Weather forecasts and severe weather warnings
• Read Surrey County Council's flood guidance
• Be Ready website, GOV.UK Are you emergency ready campaign webpage

Early warnings can give you valuable time to protect your family, home or business.

Planning ahead can help you respond quickly if flooding is expected.

Create a flood plan

Think about:

• how you will receive flood warnings
• where you would move valuable possessions
• safe routes away from your property
• who may need extra support, such as elderly relatives or neighbours
• emergency contact details

Keep important information somewhere easy to find.

Prepare an emergency kit

Your kit could include:

• mobile phone and charger
• torch and spare batteries
• essential medicines
• first aid kit
• bottled water
• non-perishable food
• warm clothing and blankets
• copies of important documents

Register for utility support if you are vulnerable

Flooding can disrupt essential services such as electricity, gas and water.

If you are vulnerable because of age, disability, health conditions or other circumstances, consider joining your utility providers' Priority Services Registers. This helps providers identify and support customers who may need additional assistance during emergencies.

You can also find support and accessibility information on our Access for All page.

Protect your home from flooding

There are simple steps you can take to reduce flood damage.

Before flooding happens

• Move valuables and important documents upstairs or to higher shelves
• Store important paperwork in waterproof containers
• Regularly clear gutters and drains around your property
• Check that water can flow freely away from your home
• Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies
• Consider installing flood protection products such as flood barriers or flood doors

Check your insurance

Review your insurance policy regularly and make sure you understand what cover is included.

Keep photographs and records of valuable possessions in case you need to make a claim.

Protect your business

Flooding can disrupt operations, damage stock and affect customers.

Businesses should consider:

• creating a business continuity plan
• backing up important data
• storing critical documents securely
• protecting equipment and stock
• reviewing insurance cover
• identifying alternative working arrangements if premises become inaccessible

Good preparation can help your business recover more quickly after a flood.

What to do during a flood

Stay safe

If flooding is expected or taking place:

• follow advice from emergency services
• keep up to date with flood warnings and local information
• Move family members, pets and valuables to a safe location
• avoid walking, cycling or driving through floodwater
• stay away from fast-flowing water
• call 999 if there is immediate danger to life

Just 30 centimetres of moving water can be enough to move a vehicle.

If you need to leave your property

If it is safe to do so:

• turn off gas, electricity and water supplies
• take your emergency kit
• lock doors and windows
• follow instructions from emergency services

Emergency help outside normal office hours

Call 01483 523200 for:

• out-of-hours emergencies
• flooding and sandbag enquiries
• emergency housing repairs
• homelessness or emergency housing situations

Sandbags

We do not have a legal duty to provide sandbags. However, during flooding incidents we will make reasonable efforts to provide them where possible, with high-risk and vulnerable residents given priority.

If you require sandbags, call 01483 523200 and we will assess your request.

What to do after a flood

Return home safely

Only return when it is safe to do so.

Take care as floodwater may have caused:

• structural damage
• contamination
• electrical hazards
• slippery surfaces

Contact your insurance company

Report any damage as soon as possible.

Take photographs of affected areas and damaged belongings before starting clean-up work where possible.

Clean up safely

When cleaning up:

• wear gloves, waterproof boots and protective clothing
• wash hands thoroughly after contact with floodwater
• dispose of damaged items safely
• do not use electrical appliances that may have been affected by water until they have been checked

Report flooding problems

Help us respond to flooding issues by reporting:

• blocked drains and gullies
• flooding on roads and public spaces
• blocked ditches or watercourses
• fallen trees affecting drainage

Prompt reporting can help reduce the impact on local communities.

Be prepared

Flooding can happen at any time of year. Taking simple steps now can help protect your home, your business and your family.

Being prepared means you can act quickly, stay safe and recover more easily if flooding affects your area.