Guide Flooding advice

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2. What can I do in case of flooding or I have been flooded?

Risk Mitigation Advice

If your property is at risk of damage at this time, below are some tips to help keep safe and reduce loss to property and possessions for you to consider.

Indoors

  • Turn off electricity, gas and mains water supplies.
  • Move as many possessions as possible upstairs or into the loft.
  • Smaller items should be removed from the property for safekeeping.
  • Ensure that furniture that cannot be moved is tied down to prevent it from floating and damaging other belongings.
  • Disconnect appliances connected by rigid pipes to the mains supply. This prevents the pipes from snapping if the appliances float off.
  • Block sinks and baths with a weighed down plug as plugs can let in floodwater.

Outdoors

  • Your Town/Parish council may be able to provide unfilled sandbags. They can be used to cover the building's vents, doors, windows and air bricks to reduce the amount of water that gets in.

Do

  • Keep extension cables out of water and wear rubber boots.
  • Avoid enclosed areas which may not be ventilated and where hazardous fumes may build. Call the National Grid immediately if you smell gas or suspect a leak, on 0800 111 999.
  • Beware of rogue traders and cold callers who may try to exploit the aftermath of flood hit areas.

Don't

  • Walk through floodwater, along river banks or cross river bridges if avoidable. As much as 15cm of fast-flowing water can knock you over and banks or river bridges may collapse in extreme situations.
  • Let children play in flood water or with contaminated belongings.
  • Re-enter your property unless you are sure it is safe to do so.

I've been flooded - What do I do?

If you've been flooded either inside your property or outside or both, here are some frequently asked questions to help you recover from the incident.

Report flooding of a property - Flood Risk Management (devon.gov.uk)

My house is uninhabitable and I have no friends and family around to help – what do I do?

We can provide temporary accommodation so please call us on 01395 571660. If this happens outside of normal working hours, please contact our out of hours service on 0330 678 2382.

Our food has been spoiled as a result of the flooding – is there any help?

If you need an emergency food parcel, please contact our Customer Services team on 01404 515616 who would be able to arrange a food voucher in most circumstances.

I have problems with blocked road drains – who do I need to contact?

Devon County Council is responsible for road drain clearance. You can report a blocked drain to them online or you can call them on 0345 155 1004.

Who do I tell about damaged roads, pavements and footpaths caused by the flood?

Devon County Council is responsible for damaged highways. You can report a problem to them online or you can call them on 0345 155 1004.

What do I do with my damaged carpets and furniture?

Please call us on 01404 515616 and we can advise on what can be disposed of and how. Please make sure your insurers know that you are intending to dispose of these items as they may want you to take photos for evidence.

You may find that your insurance company will arrange disposal so make sure you contact them as soon as you can.

I’m worried about structural damage to my property that could be dangerous

If there is structural damage that poses a danger, you need to contact our Building Control service. Fill in this Report a dangerous structure - East Devon or call 01404 515616. If it’s outside of normal working hours, please contact our out of hours service on 0330 678 2382.

Report an electrical, gas or sewage problem

To report:

Pumping out water

You may need a permit to pump water out of a property. If you want to pump the water into:

You can ask your local fire brigade for help pumping out water. They might charge a fee and can help you get a permit

I don’t have any contents insurance and financially struggling – what do I do?

We may be able to point you in the direction of financial support if there is any available at the time. Please call Customer Services on 01404 515616. 

Alternatively, contact the Citizen’s Advice Bureau – call 01395 265 070 or email enquiries@citizensadviceeastdevon.org or you can visit them at 67 Exeter Rd, Exmouth, EX8 1QD. You can also visit their website.

There is more useful information about what to do if you're uninsured on this website.

Where can I find out more information about flooding?

We have a flooding information page on our website that signposts you to where you can get more help and information on various aspects of flooding such as how to sign up to Met Office weather alerts and Environment Agency flood warnings, as well as places you can get practical help and advice.

The Environment Agency website has also got lots of important and useful information:

Here are some other useful websites:

Shelter - Housing support if your home is flooded

What to do to limit the impact of an emergency

  • Get information on flood warnings by calling the Floodline on 0845 988 1188* or by visiting the Environment Agency Flood Warnings website or the Met Office website.
  • Make a list of important contacts. Include phone numbers for family, friends, neighbours, your children's school and GP. Carry this in your wallet or handbag and keep copies at work, home and in the car.
  • Add ICE (in case of emergency) contacts to your mobile phone. Store your next of kin contacts on your mobile phone under ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 to help paramedics find who to contact in case of an emergency.
  • Arrange for a friend or relative out of your area to be the family contact point in case your family becomes separated in an emergency.
  • Request sandbags from your parish or town council.
  • Make up an emergency pack* for home and the car and perhaps work. Include the following in your emergency pack:
    • A battery powered radio
    • Torch with spare batteries or a wind-up torch
    • First aid kit
    • A copy of your contact list
    • Bottled water
    • Mobile phone and charger
    • Warm clothing
    • Essential medication and personal items (glasses)
    • Baby food, nappies
    • Wallet, purse and bank cards
    • Pet carrier, collar and lead (take pets with you)
  • Know how to turn off your gas, water and electricity
  • Even if you listen to other stations, know how to tune into your local radio station for public information in an emergency
  • Check your insurance cover is up to date

If your home is in a flood risk area, keep a stock of sandbags or install flood boards that can be deployed if a flood warning is received. Householders are responsible for protecting their own property from flooding and we strongly recommend you make provision in advance against the risk of flooding.

What to do if flooding is expected

  • Watch water levels and stay tuned to the local radio or TV. You can also get updates by phoning the Floodline on 0845 988 1188*
  • Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly
  • Move food, valuable, pets, livestock other items to safety
  • Put sandbags or flood boards in place
  • Prepare to turn off gas and electricity
  • Be prepared to evacuate your home
  • Protect yourself, your family and others that need your help
  • Try to keep calm, and to reassure others, especially children
  • Co-operate with emergency services and local councils
  • Prepare for evacuation

What to do after a flood

Follow our advice to help you get back to normal as quickly as possible after a flood:

What to do first

  • Don't enter your house until all flood water has been removed. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service may be able to help you with pumping flood water out of your house. Remember others may also need this help so you may have to wait your turn.
  • If nearby traffic is causing further flooding to your property contact Devon and Cornwall Police. Alternatively, if flooding is being caused by a public sewer contact South West Water.
  • Always wear rubber gloves to move objects or clean surfaces that have been in contact with the flood water, as the water will have been contaminated with sewage and other pollution.
  • Don't dispose of damaged goods until your insurers have had a chance to inspect them.
  • Get a qualified plumber and electrician to reconnect appliances. Look in the Yellow Pages under 'flood damage'.
  • Don't use electrical equipment that has been exposed to flood water until checked by a qualified electrician.
  • Avoid young children playing directly on timber floorboards or damaged tiled floors until the floors have been fully repaired, as injury could arise due to sharp edges of tiles or raised nails in the floorboards.
  • Do not let young children play on affected areas until they have been cleaned down and restored to their normal condition. Children should always wash their hands after playing outdoors, especially before eating or preparing food.
  • Regularly vacuum up any loose material and dust.
  • Contact your doctor if you become ill. You may have swallowed contaminated flood water.
  • We can help the elderly and vulnerable return to their homes.

Cleaning up

  • Ventilate your house after flooding - less damp is less damage.
  • Put on protective clothing before starting any clean-up.
  • Remove all soft furnishings and fittings that are damaged beyond repair.
  • Remove dirty water and silt from the property including the space under the ground floor if you have wooden floors. This space may need pumping out.
  • Wash down all hard surfaces with hot soapy water and a domestic disinfectant (following manufacturer's directions as to concentrations) to wash over all hard surfaces after cleaning.
  • Clothing, bedding and other soft/fabric articles including, children's toys, should be laundered at the highest temperature as indicated on manufacturer's instructions. If this is less than 82 degrees centigrade the articles may still contain bacteria.
  • Other soft furnishings that have been contaminated and cannot be put in a washing machine on a hot wash (as above) will have to be professionally cleaned or if this is not possible may have to be disposed of.
  • Contact our environmental protection team for any advice on clearing up if you have any doubts about it.
  • Seek professional advice (structural engineer) if your property is damaged.

Food preparation and storage

  • Don't eat any food that has been covered by or come into contact with sewage or flood water.
  • Wash your hands before and after preparing food.
  • Ensure all surfaces that food will come into contact with are sound and disinfected. If work tops and other areas show signs of damage, avoid food contact with these areas. Particularly make sure that the shelves including those in your refrigerator where food is stored are cleaned and disinfected.
  • Food preparation surfaces should be wiped down using hot tap water containing washing-up-liquid, and dishes and other utensils should also be washed in hot tap water containing washing-up-liquid. You could also use food safe disinfectant to sanitise the surfaces, dishes and other utensils.
  • All crockery, pots and pans should be thoroughly washed and rinsed with hot soapy water before using. If any of these are badly chipped or damaged do not use. You could use a food safe disinfectant to sanitise them after cleaning.
  • Frozen food that has been at ambient temperature for a few hours should be discarded in an appropriate manner. Check with insurers before disposal.
  • Don't eat garden or allotment vegetables that have been covered by sewerage or flood water.
  • Don't be tempted to try and salvage damaged food -- including tins as they may be contaminated with sewage and chemicals left from the flood water.

Insurance

Check your insurance policy and contact your insurance company immediately. The majority of household policies provide insurance cover for flooding. If you are a tenant and have taken out contents insurance, household contents, fixtures and fittings should be covered; it is normally the responsibility of your landlord to provide building insurance.

If you are uninsured you will most likely be responsible for covering all costs of flood damage. Remember to keep records of flood damage (for example, photos).

Are you concerned about flooding in your area?

If you would like advice on dealing with specific flooding problems, please contact our customer service centre for help and guidance on (01395) 517528 or streetscene@eastdevon.gov.uk.

*Calls cost 6 pence per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. East Devon District Council receives no additional income for calls to this number.