Flooding is one of the most common and devastating natural disasters, affecting millions of people worldwide each year. In England alone, over 5.2 million homes are at risk of flooding – that’s one in six!

Whether it’s from rivers, seas, surface water or groundwater, floods can cause significant damage and stress. And the impacts of climate change are leading to more frequent and severe flooding events across the UK.v

All of us, on an organisational, community and individual level, must make changes to improve our resilience to flooding events and invest in adaptation and preparation, rather than living with the costs of clean-ups.

Here’s four things you can do to help stay prepared for when the waters do start to rise:

1. Understand your flood risk

It’s important to know the different main types of flooding (fluvial, pluvial and coastal), where they come from and their impact. A flood risk assessment can also help you prepare. By looking at flood maps and historical records, you can have a better understanding of whether a flood is likely in your area.

2. Sign up for early warning systems

Early warning systems will help give you time to prepare if a flood is about to strike. You can get them on your phone or email, so make sure to be signed up.

3. Install resilience and resistance measures

You can help to reduce damage by installing simple and more complex measures around your home or property. Simple changes such as installing a flood barrier, toilet bungs or self-closing air bricks can help slow down the ingress of water. You can also make bigger changes like raising plug sockets and critical infrastructure or tiling your floor or walls.

4. Have a plan in place

Knowing when to act and what action to take before the flood enters your property can save a lot of time, stress and ultimately reduce the damage. It’s important to have a response plan in place as well as an emergency grab bag and contact numbers to hand.

Flood preparedness is an ongoing process that involves understanding your risk, staying informed, and taking proactive measures to protect you and your property.

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This article was adapted from an article by Zurich which can be found here