Emergency flood advice

Things you need to do in a flood.

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If you, or anyone else is in danger because of a flood, call 999. 

It’s vital to put people before property and to co-operate with the emergency services if they tell you to evacuate your home.  

Be prepared to act quickly to get yourself to safety.

What to do if you're about to be flooded 

 
  • Stay calm and try not to panic.

  • Check for flood alerts.

  • Use your flood equipment now and block water inlets to prevent flood water entering your house.

  • Collect clean water.

Check for flood alerts, warnings or severe flood warnings 

You can: 

It is possible that your area is not covered by a flood warning as they are often associated with larger rivers.

Stay alert to surface water flooding which usually happens where drainage systems are unable to cope with heavy rain.  It is difficult to give warning for this due to the unpredictability of storm forecasts.

Prevent flood water entering your house

  • use the flooding equipment you have, such as sandbags, flood gates, barriers, flood boards, etc.
  • put plugs in sinks or baths - you can weigh the plug down with a plastic bag filled with something heavy 
  • plug water inlet pipes with old rags
  • disconnect washing machines and dishwashers 

Get clean water supplies

  • fill jugs and saucepans with water for supplies if flood water has not yet entered the house. 

If flood water has entered your property 

 
  • Stay in your property if it is safe to do so, or until either the emergency services tell you otherwise, or the floodwater has gone.
  • Turn off the utilities and don't touch electrical items.
  • Move yourself, others, pets and essential items, including a grab bag upstairs or to higher ground.
  • Avoid the flood water and wash your hands thoroughly if you touch it.
  • Check on vulnerable residents.
  • Keep yourself and others informed of the changing situation.

Stay safe by turning off utilities and moving to higher ground

  • Turn off utilities if the flood water has not yet entered your home: 
    • gas 
    • electricity 
    • water 
  • Do not touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water. 
  • If you're staying in your property, or have to stay in your property, then move upstairs or to a higher place, also ensuring that the following are moved upstairs or to a higher level if it is safe to do so:
    • family and pets - ensure there is a safe means of exit 
    • valuables, such as family photos  
    • essential items such as insurance documents, medication, torches and waterproofs  
    • furniture – if you have the means to raise it with bricks or equivalent. 
    • car
  • Check on vulnerable residents. 

If you need to evacuate

  • Listen to the advice of the authorities and follow any instructions to leave your property. Remember to take your grab bag.
  • If police, fire and rescue and other officials have arrived at the property they may use a loud hailer to tell you if an evacuation needs to take place.
  • If you are advised to evacuate your home, reception centres will be provided in a local school, leisure centre or other suitable community building where you will be safe, sheltered and looked after by trained volunteers. If you choose to make your own arrangements, such as staying with family or friends, please let someone know you are safe.

Keep yourself and others informed

  • In any emergency, local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do.  Other sources of information include:
    • Listening to the local radio/ watching TV
    • Checking the internet frequently, especially social media if you can
  • Alert any family members and let them know you are safe.

For further information, see the government pages on What to do before and during a flood.

Assistance with emergency shelter 

If you have been evacuated or need to evacuate your home, you can contact your district or borough council to find out about assistance with emergency shelter. 

Who to contact for help and reassurance

 

If you're in danger, or have a health emergency, call the emergency services on 999

You can find contact details for local support groups that offer support with wellbeing and practical help on our Who to contact for flooding page. 

Travel updates and road closures 

Only our Highways department can legally close a road in Leicestershire due to flooding.  

If this happens, we will put signs up and update one network which should also inform Google maps.

You can also look out for Leicester Area Traffic Control twitter updates.

When and who to ‘report a flood’ to

Make sure you and your family are safe before reporting a flood. 

If it's an emergency call 999. 

For further information on reporting a flood, visit our ‘Report a flood ’ page.