Top Flood Protection Tips
Flood damage can be extensive and expensive. It is not always covered by home insurance policies, so it is recommended that households and businesses take some simple but effective precautions to minimize risk to their premises and keep costs to a minimum.
Businesses must also have an effective plan to stay operational if disaster strikes, otherwise outbound costs will skyrocket and inbound payments will stop. In an average year, DEFRA and the Environment Agency (EA) estimate the cost incurred per flooded English business to be between £75,000 and £112,000.
Here are some of the best tips to help ensure minimal distress in the event of a flood on your property.
minimize risk
1. Know your situation – If you don’t know whether or not you are at risk of flooding, find out. People always say, “I never thought this kind of thing would happen to me.” Research the risk, if there is a chance it could happen to you, prepare for it. The Environment Agency monitors the risk of flooding in the UK and issues warnings to areas at risk of flooding. Sign up for EA Floodline to receive flood alerts.
2. Plan – If you do not have physical flood protection, you may need to evacuate and this will need to be safely monitored and organized. Companies could modify an existing fire escape strategy. Make sure you have a flood emergency response plan and an emergency response kit. Designate a Flood Warden to show staff where the plan is kept along with a list of key contact numbers. Consider preparing a flood kit that can be stored where staff members can easily access it if the property is flooded.
3. It is a good idea for companies to have a continuity plan to facilitate continued operational effectiveness. Modern technology makes it easy to have a portable company. You can move to another property (perhaps a room in the business owner’s home), or at least have a small-scale operation that works during the flood. Homeowners can modify these guidelines to ensure they can effectively care for their families if they are caught in flooding.
4. Have a flood action plan: have sandbags or a flood barrier to help keep water out, know who is in charge of doors, windows, drains, and vents, who will be responsible for tracking the status of the flood, have an exit strategy, and a list of contacts where you could stay in a worst case scenario, as well as local support phone numbers. Also have a family flood kit, which contains some essentials, especially for children, and be sure to bring your laptop and mobile phone, as these can prove essential for learning more about extreme weather conditions and staying in touch. with people who could help. . For both businesses and households, it’s vital to make sure someone is designated to shut off all gas and electricity.
5. Are you protected? – Check insurance policies to see if you are covered for flood damage. Only a small percentage of people in high-risk flood areas know if their insurance covers water damage. If you can keep the water out, this is better than repairing the damage. Take a look at simple preventative steps you can take, like portable flood barriers.
Flood Damage Reduction
1. Shut down and relocate – Move high value items, critical records and electronic equipment to the upper floors. If it is safe to do so, move essential vehicles to higher ground. Disconnect all electrical appliances and turn off the gas supply to reduce the risk of fire.
2. Retain dangerous water – Floodwaters are often contaminated with biological hazards (sewage, medical waste, animal waste, and carcasses) or other hazardous materials (fuels, asbestos, agricultural chemicals, etc.). Flood-damaged buildings may also have moist areas where mold, mildew, and other organisms thrive. Close manual valves on drain lines to prevent backflow through floor drains or plumbing fixtures. Check that roof, floor, or patio drains are clear.
3. Document any damage – Take photos of the damage, both to the property and its contents for insurance claims. Notify insurers of damage and schedule restoration work.