Floods are not seasonal, and can happen at anytime of the year. So as we head into summertime, just how ready are you – and your home – if there’s more water than sunshine?
In June 2007, Britain suffered nightmare flooding, which resulted in around £3bn worth of insurance claims for damaged property and goods, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
However, despite the well-reported domestic damage, one in four houses are still uninsured, say the ABI. But if your home happens to be in a flood-risk area and you don’t have sufficient home insurance, you could find yourself knee-deep in water – and trouble – should anything happen.
UK flood plans
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said, “We can’t stop rain falling from the sky, or make it rain during droughts, but we can be better prepared.” So in a bid to reduce the likelihood and impact of flooding, and improve its ability to manage the risks, the government introduced a new Flood and Water Management Bill.
It has also opened a state-of-the-art Flood Forecasting Centre for England and Wales, run jointly by the Environment Agency and Met Office. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the London-based facility will help local authorities and emergency services protect property and prepare for emergencies in the event of a flood.
What do the flood plans mean for you?
The government has earmarked £15m to help local authorities manage floods better – and an additional £5m fund is available to households for personal flood protection. This is good news for homeowners everywhere – but it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. You should still look out for any flood and weather warnings from both the Environment Agency and Met Office.
And to help you prepare for any future flooding, you should sign up to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning service, like almost 500,000 others have, by calling 0845 988 1188.
Be prepared for rainy days
Even if you don’t feel your home is in particular danger right now, think about the future. For example, the ABI recently warned that 40% more coastal homes could be at risk of flooding by 2050, with properties in Norfolk, the Thames Estuary and Lincolnshire at particular risk.
Top tips for flood preparation
* Be vigilant and listen to your local radio or TV station for regular updates. And don’t forget to sign up to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning service.
* Keep your home insurance policy details and telephone numbers in a safe, secure and dry place, just so they don’t get ruined in the event of a flood.
* If you know a floods on the way, move your valuables from downstairs to upstairs, or if you only have a ground floor, try and raise them as high off the ground as possible.
* Again, if there’s an imminent risk of flood, place sandbags outside of doors.
* Also make sure you have adequate car insurance, as a fair proportion of the £3bn claims in 2007 concerned car damage.
* Don’t think twice about leaving home if the authorities instruct you to – your life is more important than anything else!
Top tips if you’ve been flooded
* Switch off the mains supplies of gas, water and electricity. Don’t reconnect them yourself afterwards – get a qualified engineer to do it.
* Photograph your property and any damage, as it may help your insurer settle a claim.
* Report any damage as soon as possible to your insurer, who will advise you on what to do next.
* Rescue and dry any manuals and receipts of your valuables. Their product numbers could help you get a fair claim.
