If you live within a high risk flood area, it’s best to take several vital measures to prepare for flooding. Firstly: you’ll want to take out the correct flood cover with your home insurance, ensuring that you’re covered in the event that the worst happen. Second of all: you should establish a household flood plan which outlines the plan of action you will need to take prior to, during and following a flood. Finally: you will need to assemble a flood survival kit, that you will be able to rely upon in the event you find yourself caught by flood.

A flood survival kit should consist of all the items you need to make it through a flood safely if you are unable to get out through the lower floors of your house. This is why it is advisable to keep (virtually all) your kit on the upper levels where possible, within a convenient and easy to access area. As it’s not always possible to calculate how immersed your property may well become, it is useful to keep part or all of your survival kit in water-tight containers and/or plastic boxes that have lockable lids. Vital files should be sealed in water resistant storage containers, and should ideally have replicates kept in a secure off-site location in the case of policies and certificates.

Warm waterproof clothes is a vital part of your kit, since it is probable that you might need to be evacuated if the flood water climbs too high and (in worse circumstances) you might even need to spend some time on the roof waiting for rescue. Vacuum packing warm covers is a great way to store them, keeping them secure from the water and also at a more manageable size. Waterproof rubber gloves are a necessary kit-item, as is a first-aid pack with waterproof plasters along with bandages. Because flood water usually consists of contaminants including sewage, contact with skin must be avoided and open wounds need to be specifically shielded from exposure. In addition to this, scratches and injuries are more inclined to occur if you are forced to walk through flood water, owing to the elevated number of threats that could be disguised . from sight. You should not try to walk or swim through flood water unless you are left with simply no other choice, as it’s very dangerous.

Bottled water needs to be stored as a staple part of your kit. One of the first things that may possibly be effected by considerable flooding is your water supply, particularly since you are advised to turn it off (along with your gas and electricity) in advance of flood water penetrates into your property. The very last thing you want is to be caught in a situation where there’s water everywhere, although not even a drop to drink. As outlined above; flood water is without a doubt dangerous to get on your skin, making it definitely unsuitable to put in your mouth. It’s also wise to preserve a stock of non-perishable food products, like tinned food, in addition to the ways to cook it (on a mobile cooker possibly) if needed. At least as important as a supply of tinned food is the way to open it; which means you’ll want a tin-opener with you or cans with ring-pull/key opening lids.

It is best to have a minimum of one torch, although ideally one for each person within your household, as well as a good supply of batteries reserved. A radio is also helpful to have, again with batteries or even wind-up power, to enable you to listen for flood updates rather than to help keep you amused. Your mobile phone is definitely useful to possess in this situation, as is a list of beneficial contact numbers which should be duplicated and kept along with your important paperwork. In case you have animals, you should keep transportable pet carriers and pet food available and account for your pets’ water requirements along with your own. In case you require medications then it’s imperative that you maintain a supply as part of your survival kit for which you will need to take with you if you need to be evacuated.

If you’re unlucky enough to live in a location that is exposed to risk of flooding, you are likely to know that it is difficult to get the suitable flood insurance, however it’s crucial for you to make certain you get it set up.

As flooding becomes more and more common across the country, home insurance has become more vital than ever before. Some insurance companies are now working to help those with flooding problems by providing specialist flooding insurance.