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You can:

• check for flooding in the next 5 days
• sign up for flood warnings by phone, text or email
• check your long term flood risk from rivers, the sea, surface water, reservoirs and groundwater (where data is available)

There鈥檚 different guidance on , or .

Make a flood plan

Plan how you鈥檒l respond to a flood. You can make a:

• personal flood plan
• community or group flood plan - if you鈥檙e responsible for an organisation such as a school, hospital, care home or community group
• business flood plan

Keep your flood plan in a safe place with other essential items, for example spare medication, important documents and contact details.

Find local support

Find out what support is available in your local area before, during and after a flood, for example:

• flood action groups - volunteers who work with local councils and agencies to reduce flood risks and represent local people
• community flood wardens - volunteers who monitor a specific local area and tell residents when flooding is likely to happen
• community hubs - where you can find food, clothing, shelter and advice during a flood

You can find your nearest flood action group, community flood wardens or community hub:

• on social media
• on your local council鈥檚 website
• by

If you own a riverside property

If you own property next to a watercourse, for example a river, culvert, brook or mill stream, you must:

• maintain river beds and banks
• not obstruct the water flow
• not pollute the water
• protect wildlife

Read guidance on the rights and responsibilities of owning a riverside property.

Contact the Environment Agency if you have questions about your responsibilities.

If your property鈥檚 next to a canal

to check who鈥檚 responsible for maintaining the canal.

If you have a disability or need extra help

Ask your local council if you can get extra help during a flood.

Citizens Advice can help make sure you鈥檒l .

Ask Floodline to send flood warnings to a friend or relative on your behalf.

Before a flood happens you can make changes to your property to reduce the damage flooding can do, for example:

• laying tiles instead of carpets
• moving electrical sockets higher up the wall
• fitting non-return valves to stop flood water entering your property through the drains
• getting flood protection products, for example flood doors or self closing air bricks

Read more about how to prepare your property for flooding.

You can:

• about how to protect your property and how much this will cost
• at Blue Pages

You may need permission to do work that will affect the flow of a river or divert flood water.

Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water

You鈥檒l need to turn off your mains water, gas and electricity if you have to leave your home during a flood.

The water stop tap (also called a 鈥榮topcock鈥�), gas shut-off valves and the electrical main switch are in different places in different properties.

You鈥檒l usually find:

• your water stop tap inside your home where your water supply comes in, or outside near to your property鈥檚 boundary under a cover
• your gas shut-off valve next to your gas meter
• your mains electricity cut off on your fuse board with a big on and off switch

If you鈥檙e a homeowner, you can:

• get insurance advice from the or
• if you鈥檙e in a flood-risk area
• that specialises in properties that are difficult to insure

If your home has been flooded and your insurer is part of , you could get up to 拢10,000 to protect your home from future flood damage as part of your flood damage repairs. If your insurer is part of the scheme, ask them if you鈥檙e eligible when you make a claim.

If you鈥檙e renting

Ask your landlord what insurance they have as it may not cover your personal items.

If their insurance does not cover your personal items, you can get contents insurance.

Read the 鈥楬ow to rent鈥� guide by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for more information about flooding and insurance.

Businesses

You can get:

• buildings insurance - to cover flood damage to buildings
• contents insurance - to cover damage to items, for example stock
• business interruption insurance - to cover running costs or losses, for example salaries or loss of profit

Get .

Get evidence of flood risk

Contact the Environment Agency if your insurer asks for evidence of your flood risk.

You鈥檒l get a letter within 20 days. It鈥檚 free for individuals and businesses.

If you鈥檝e done work on your property

You or a surveyor can complete a Flood Risk Report. This will tell insurers or buyers how the work has reduced the flood risk.