October 18, 2023
Be Flood Ready!
Flood Awareness & Resilience champion, Mary Long-Dhonau OBE, offers advice on what you should do to be ‘flood ready’ ahead of any exceptionally wet weather events – such as Storm Babet, which arrived in the UK during October:ย
“Having experienced flooding first-hand, I have created a handy pre-winter check-list, which offers some simple tips on the steps that can be taken to make sure youโre as prepared as possible as the weather turns wetter. While it is not an exhaustive list, it may help in thinking ahead before any floods occur.
Conduct a walk-about:
Every year, as the โrainyโ season approaches, I always take a walk around the outside of my house to make sure that all the brick work is in good order with no lose mortar. Flood water will find its way into any vulnerable gaps, such as a wobbly drainage pipe gap or around utility service wires, so check these.
I also make sure that any channel drains are cleared of fallen leaves and debris and also check any other drain that is located outside of my home has no blockages. Hard paving leaves floodwater nowhere to go, so if you do have it, perhaps think about removing a few slabs at regular intervals and planting a few water thirsty small shrubs in their place.
On top of this, I always make sure that gutters are free of any leaves that may have gathered during the autumn drop.
Finally familiarise yourself with how you turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies, in the event of a flood emergency.
Plan Ahead:
Firstly, I urge everyone to keep informed and sign up for the Environment Agencyโs Flood Warning. The free service will send you flood warnings if your home or business in England is at risk of flooding: https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
Secondly, be prepared by creating a household plan so when the flood comes, you know exactly what to do. For example, think about the needs of children, babies, elderly and disabled living at home and your also your pets.
If you donโt store your documents in โthe cloudโ make sure, computer data and photographs are backed up and stored safely. There will be some items that cannot be replaced: family photographs, sentimental pieces or childrenโs drawings โ keep them somewhere where they will be safe โ or move them in good time.
Also, consider where you can move your car so it isnโt affected by flood waters.
Create an emergency flood kit โgrab bagโ, containing emergency medication, torches, spare clothes, first aid kit, important documents, and also the means to keep warm.
Keep a list of useful telephone numbers (including your GP details, insurance claim line & policy number) to hand, and make sure they are also stored on your mobile phone.
A useful guide on how to create a household emergency plan is available to access for free here:
https://floodmary.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/preparing-a-household-emergency-plan.pdf
Check Your Cover
Do you know if you have the correct insurance cover in place? Check your buildings and contents or business policy with your insurance company to be certain. Take detailed photos of your property and contents now, before any flood occurs. And be sure to keep you policy details safe โ whether in your emergency grab bag, but also on email or in the cloud.
Flood Resilience Measures
Have you ever considered how are can prevent water from entering your property? There is a wide array of property-level flood resilience products that can be used to help minimise the risk of flood water entering your home, or steps that can be taken so if water does enter, it is easier and quicker to dry out and repair.
Installing flood resilience measures will ultimately enable recovery to happen in just a matter of days instead of months, should a significant flood occur.
More information on what fully-tested, Kite-marked products are available in this free Householders Guide to Flood Resilience:
https://floodmary.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/HouseholdersGuidetoFloodResilience2023_ONLINE.pdf
Before a Flood Occurs
If you receive a warning that flooding is imminent, there are some immediate actions I recommend you take. The first is to empty your water butt; this will allow run off from your roof to go in there and not into the drains.
Secondly, move your car to higher ground if it is safe to do so and, finally, put your household flood plan into action.
Stay Safe During a Flood
During a flood remember the most important thing you can do during a flood is to stay safe. Always remember that:
- Six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over
- Two feet of water will float your car
- Flooding can cause manhole covers to come off, leaving hidden dangers
- Do not walk or drive through flood water, as there will be many hidden hazards, the water may be too deep to drive through and you may well face an insurance claim for your car
- Do not let children play in flood water as it can often be contaminated waters
- Do not walk on sea defences or riverbanks
- When water levels are high be aware that bridges may be dangerous to walk or drive over
- Culverts are dangerous when flooded
- Look out for other hazards such as fallen power lines and trees
- Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch floodwater as it will be contaminated.
After a Flood
While you may be tempted to return to your home following a flood, wait until you have been told it is safe to do so by the emergency services. I would urge you to contact your insurance company as soon as possible; many have 24-hour help lines during a flood and should be able to support you.
I also recommend you do the following post- flood:
- Take photos and a video of the damage, this includes the contents of fridge and freezer, with your mobile phone or buy a disposable camera
- Mark a line on the wall as to where the water came up to
- Wear gloves when touching anything that is wet as it may well be contaminated
- Cut a piece of your carpet and save it for the loss adjuster and then try to remove carpets into the garden but do not throw it away. Carpets hold water into the property and wet heavy items inhibit the drying process
- Once carpets are outside, try to keep your windows and doors open to aid ventilation but remember to lock-up every time you leave to avoid any unscrupulous thieves from taking advantage
Iโve written a guide on Flood Recovery, which is available to view here:
https://floodmary.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/homeowners-guide-to-flood-recovery.pdf
ย 
ย 
Wetlands are often discussed in relation to flooding: their ability to hold water within the landscape, slow its flow and reduce the pressure placed on communities downstream, however, their value does not disappear when the rain stops.
During the latest spell of exceptionally hot, dry weather, Rush Meadow Ponds at Brigstock have continued to perform well. The natural flood management scheme, created on land owned by local farmer Hugh Shrive, comprises five connected ponds designed to capture and temporarily store water within the landscape.
Despite the prolonged dry conditions, water remains within the ponds, while the surrounding vegetation is noticeably green and thriving.
It provides a great local example of how working with natural processes can help us to create landscapes that are more resilient to both ends of the weather spectrum.
Rush Meadow Ponds were created as part of RAINโs wider programme of natural flood management across the Harpers Brook catchment. By creating additional space in which water can collect and move more slowly, features such as ponds and wetlands can help to reduce the speed and volume of water travelling downstream following heavy rainfall.
But retaining more water within the landscape can also provide important benefits during periods of lower rainfall. While surrounding land becomes increasingly dry, the ponds at Rush Meadow continue to hold water. This supports the surrounding vegetation, while providing valuable habitat and a water source for wildlife when other areas may be struggling.
The contrast is a visible reminder of the wider role wetlands can play in helping our countryside adapt to a changing climate.
A recent article from The Wildlife Trusts highlights just how much water has historically been drained from the British landscape and argues that restoring wetlands and other natural features must form part of our response to hotter summers, drought and wildfire.
What we are seeing at Rush Meadow brings that national discussion to life here in Northamptonshire.
As our climate continues to change, communities are likely to experience longer dry periods alongside more intense rainfall. These challenges cannot be considered separately. Instead, we must consider how our landscape can capture water when it is plentiful, retain it for longer and release it more gradually.
No single intervention will provide the whole answer, however Rush Meadow Ponds demonstrate how natural flood management can form part of a more joined-up approach – helping to manage flood risk, support nature and build resilience to prolonged dry weather.
The scheme also highlights what can be achieved through collaboration with farmers and landowners such as Hugh, who make it possible to introduce natural flood management measures in the places where they can deliver meaningful benefits.
Sometimes the value of a flood resilience measure becomes most visible when it has hardly rained at all.