How to prepare for flooding

Prepare your household for potential floods and be aware of the flood warning levels.

Floods can damage your property and possessions. You can reduce the impact of flooding by being aware of the flooding risks near your property and planning ahead.

Property owners are responsible for protecting their own properties in the event of a flood. If you are a tenant, your landlord has this responsibility.

Flood water may contain sewerage and other contaminants that are a risk to your health. 

Find out more advice on flooding and health - GOV.UK.

Sign up for flood alerts

You can sign up to get flood warnings if your home or business is at risk of flooding. The service is free.

Sign up for flood warnings - GOV.UK

You can also check to see if there is a risk of flooding in the next 5 days.

Check for flooding - GOV.UK

Flood warning levels

Three levels of flood warnings are issued by the Environment Agency.

Level 1: flood alerts

Flooding is possible. Be prepared. This alert is normally issued between 2 hours and 2 days in advance of flooding. 

What to do:

  • be prepared to act on your household flood plan
  • prepare a flood kit of essential items
  • keep an eye on the local water levels and the flood forecast

Level 2: flood warning

Flooding is expected. Immediate action required. This warning is issued half an hour to one day in advance of flooding. 

What to do:

  • move family, pets and valuables to a safe place
  • turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if safe to do so
  • put flood protections equipment in place, such as sandbags

Level 3: severe flood warning

This warning is used when flooding could cause significant threat to life. 

What to do:

  • stay in a safe place with a means of escape
  • be ready to leave your property, if required
  • co-operate with the emergency services
  • call 999 if you are in immediate danger

Prepare a flood kit

You can prepare your household for flooding by having a flood kit, which contains essential items you will need during the emergency. 

Find out how to make a flood kit - Surrey County Council and details of an emergency flood kit - National Flood Forum.

Prepare your home

There are many things you can do to prepare your home if flooding is likely. These include:

  • moving your car to outside the flood risk area
  • putting up barriers and protection to reduce flood water coming into your home, including airbricks, doors and windows
  • having sandbags at your property, which can be bought from local builders merchants

Find out more about preparing for flooding - Surrey County Council.

Returning to a flood-damaged property

You should only return to your property if there is no police presence and the flood cordon has been removed.

Find out more about after a flood and cleaning up - Surrey County Council.

Home owners

Contact your building and contents insurance company. 

Take photos or make an appointment with your insurance assessor before tidying up and repairing any damage.

Council tenants

Use the online form below to let us know that repairs are needed .

Report a repair

Contact your contents insurance company.

Private rent tenants

Check your tenancy agreement and contact your contents insurance company.