Flood precautions

It was pouring with rain here earlier this week when Storm Chandra reached Kent and Surrey. I turned to my phone to check where flooding of homes is likely:

In Surrey, the Rivers Wey and Mole cause flooding

In Kent, the Rivers Medway and Stour

I was looking this up on the new service provided by the government. There you can put in your postcode, and get day-to-day bulletins of what is happening with floodwater.

On the T.V. news, there are pictures of people in the south west of England coping with flood-water. Some railways have had to halt services as the ground has collapsed under the rails. There are flooded roads too dangerous to drive. Homeowners in risky locations are trying to protect their property. Some have heaped sandbags against doors to stop the water entering a garage or kitchen. There were photos of flood-damaged interiors.

Kent and Surrey Bylines has received the following Press Release from the insurance industry about how to protect your home from floods:

Plan Ahead

‘No one expects their home to flood, and while it can be potentially devastating, there are things you can do to protect your property.

By planning ahead and putting measures in place, like having the right home insurance, you can make sure you’re protected if the worst should happen.

Here’s what you can do to make sure you stay safe, your property stays covered, and you know what to do if your home is flooded. From removing contaminated items to understanding the different types of water damage, this guide will give you all you need to know.

Is my property at risk of flooding?

According to the Environment Agency, 6.3 million properties in England are at risk of flooding.

To find out if your home could be affected, there are a few things you can do:

Use the long-term flood risk tool on the UK government website
Check with your local council
Check with your local flood authority (LLFA)
Check if your home specifically is at risk by looking for blocked drains or pipes
For an accurate answer get a flood-risk property survey on your home
If you’re buying a new home, check the risk of flooding before you purchase

What is flood insurance?

Flood insurance is part of your home insurance that provides financial protection if your property is affected by flooding.

If you have buildings insurance it can cover the cost if the structure of your property needs repairing or rebuilding following floodwater damage

If you have contents insurance, it can pay for repairs or replacements if your possessions are damaged in a flood

What does flood insurance cover and how does it work?

Flood insurance covers floodwater coming into your home from outside, usually after heavy rainfall. It’s not the same as cover for something like a leak or burst pipe.

It can cover costs related to extensive water damage, where more than one area of your home is affected.

For buildings insurance, it can cover the cost of:

Drying out your home

Removing debris

Professional fees, like surveyors, solicitors and architects

Alternative accommodation until you can return to your home

Repairing the structure of your home

For contents insurance, it can help with repairing or replacing:

Damaged furniture, carpets, lamps and sofas

TVs, computers and other electrical equipment

Fridge freezers, washing machines and other kitchen appliances

Clothing, books and toys

How can I check if I’m already covered?

Policies can vary, so you’ll need to read your policy wording carefully. If you’re still unsure, get in touch with your insurance provider.

If you’ve claimed for flooding in the past, you might need to pay more for your home insurance, or flooding might be excluded from your cover.

If you live in a flood-risk area and you’re struggling to find insurance, the Flood Re scheme might be able to help. It has a list of insurers who work with homes at risk of flooding and the scheme helps to keep your premiums down.

How to prepare for a flood

If you live in a flood-risk area, there are several steps you can take to get your home flood-ready:

Find out if you live in an at-risk area – Enter your postcode into the following government websites: gov.uk for England, sepa.org.uk for Scotland, naturalresources.wales for Wales, and nidirect.gov.uk for Northern Ireland
Sign up for flood warnings – You can sign up for flood alerts by providing your address to one of the websites above, and choosing to be contacted by either phone, text or email. For live updates and advice, call Floodline at 0345 988 1188
Make a personal flood plan – It should include details of items you might need to move, where to go for assistance, and who you might need to help. You should also note down things like where to get sandbags and how to shut off your gas, water, and electricity supply
Prepare a flood kit – This should be kept in a safe place and include contact details you might need, like emergency numbers for your local authority and home insurance provider. Your kit should also include items like warm waterproof clothing and blankets, drinking water, food, essential medication, a torch, gloves, wellingtons, pet food and carriers

If a flood is expected in your area, there are plenty of things you can do to help protect your property. You can find a list of measures on how to prepare for flooding on the UK government website. These include:

Moving furniture, rugs and items of value upstairs or raising them off the ground if this isn’t possible
Placing perishable things in waterproof bags
Filling containers with clean water
Turning off gas, water and electricity supplies
Blocking water entering through doors and windows with sandbags or pillowcases filled with earth
Covering airbricks and vents
Blocking water inlet pipes with towels or cloths
Throwing curtains over the rail out of reach of the floodwater
Moving your car to higher ground and somewhere away from risk

Making preparations like these can also help if you need to make a home insurance claim, as your policy might not pay out if the damage was avoidable.