Advice Sheet 6: Advice If You Are Affected by Flooding

Circumstances can differ from one property to another. Any information or advice is for guidance and is given in good faith but without warranty. Whilst we have made every effort to ensure its accuracy and completeness neither the author nor the Carse of Gowrie Sustainability Group nor its office bearers can accept any liability arising from errors or omissions.

Advice sheet 6: Advice if you are affected by flooding

Preparation

If you live in a flood prone area, be aware of the effects of long wet periods and the chance that sudden rain can cause flash flooding.

Make up a flood kit, with a torch, battery radio, warm clothing, wellingtons, rubber gloves, medications, insurance policy and other useful things, and keep it in a box in a safe place.

Assistance

You may be unsure who to call for help. If the flood comes from a man made source such as a drain or burst pipe, call Scottish Water. If it is from a natural source, call the council.

Winter floods are often accompanied by severe gale force winds. Remember that the council may have teams of workers out taking down dangerous trees or clearing fallen trees - not all their employees can be diverted onto flood work. In severe weather conditions such as flooding, deep snow, ice and gales the council and the emergency services can be affected or overwhelmed.
Council priority will be to act immediately on any threat or danger to life and they work closely with the emergency services in sharing resources. They must keep essential roads open for emergency services to use. If you are fit and able, you will be expected to try to help yourself as much as you can.
In a flood threat situation, for example, don't just wait around for help, you can successfully block doors and ground-level air vents with sandbags made quickly from plastic bags and earth.
In the event of flood waters entering your home, move people and pets immediately upstairs or to higher property and await rescue. Consider your neighbour - they may be struggling alone and could use your help. Find out how to turn off your gas and electricity in case you have to leave your home. Failure of gas, electricity and telephones during floods and gales is common, so find out how to do it now.
Don't attempt to drive through floodwater - as well as the risk of breaking down, your vehicle may well obstruct the road for emergency services.
Don't walk outside unnecessarily in floods, or allow children to play in the flood waters. Flooding can open up manholes, road works and hide culverts, all of which can pose a danger.
Evacuation from an area by the emergency services or the council is only done where absolutely necessary. It usually means that utility services failures are going to be long and that the temperatures are low enough to cause concern for the health of the young, infirm and the elderly. If you are asked to move from your home, please do so quickly, taking as few items as possible, but ensure that you have all medication required by your family members. Switch off gas and electricity - even if the supply has failed and lock up the house.
In the event of evacuation, the council will set up a rest centre close by to accommodate you, which will be warm and dry and where refreshments, food and support will be provided. You may have to stay overnight, or at least until it is possible to return safely to your home. They will register you and your family and any special needs or concerns will be noted at the rest centre, so that they can better support and assist you.
Flood water may contain contamination or sewage. On your return home, clean and disinfect everything that may have come into contact with flood water. Clean your taps with disinfectant and let the water run for several minutes. Use rubber gloves as much as possible when handling items and always wash your hands well before eating or drinking.

Insurance claims

First you need to decide whether to claim. If there is only minor damage you may not need to make a claim, but don’t underestimate the potential cost of flood damage. Don’t hesitate to call your insurer. Almost all of them now have 24 hour call centres, every day of the year. They will usually organise a loss adjuster to visit and organise recovery operations. If a number of properties in the area have been flooded you may be approached by a “loss assessor” who will offer to act on your behalf. Be very careful, many of them are con men and they will skim a large proportion off your eventual claim. Check that your loss adjuster and any firms carrying out recovery work are members of the relevant professional bodies which set standards (see below).

Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) see tel 020 7337 9960

British Damage Management Association (BDMA) see tel 07000 843 236

Buildings claims and Resilient Reinstatement

Your loss adjuster will suggest repairs which may use modern materials like chipboard or mdf. You have a right to insist on more resilient materials but may have to pay the cost difference. You also have the right to insist that new power sockets are located above the reach of flood water or that new plasterboard sheets are laid horizontally instead of vertically so they don’t all need to be replaced next time. If you have solid wood doors and skirtings, especially in pitch pine, these can be dried out successfully if laid flat and allowed to dry slowly. In older houses with lime plaster walls this can often be dried out without needing replacement.

Contents claims

Most household policies give “new for old” cover on contents but you are expected to move as much as you can out of reach of the flood waters. Food, drink, baby toys and clothing which has been touched by flood water should always be replaced.

General

Take lots of photographs of the damage and keep samples of carpets and curtains to ensure the replacements are of similar quality. Furntiture and white goods should be left in the garden until the loss adjuster says it is OK to dispose of them.

The rights of David Crichton to be identified as the author of this work have been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.