Flood kit and sandbags

Check your long-term risk on GOV.UK and sign up for free flood warnings from the Environment Agency or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

Flood kit

• Everything in the emergency kit
• Wellies, waterproofs and rubber gloves
• Insurance details and home contents photos
• Plastic bags for important items and phone

Sandbags and barriers

• Councils don't always supply sandbags, so check your council's policy before you need them.
• Self-inflating flood sacks are lighter and easier to store than sandbags.
• Fit flood doors, airbrick covers and non-return valves if you're in a known risk area. These work better than sandbags.
• Lay bags like brickwork, with plastic sheeting behind them, and don't block airbricks permanently.

When a warning is issued

• Move valuables, documents and medicines upstairs.
• Move cars to higher ground.
• Know how to switch off gas, electricity and water.
• Never walk or drive through floodwater: 30cm of moving water can float a car.