How to recover after a flood

Contact your insurance company

If you’ve been flooded, contact your insurance company and follow their advice. If you haven’t got insurance, the National Flood Forum can offer help and support on 01299 403055.

Find your local flood action group or flood warden

If there’s been a serious flood, your local authority may have chosen a place like the town hall as a ‘flood hub’ from which to organise recovery efforts. You may also have a nearby flood warden or flood action group. Contact the National Flood Forum for help in finding local support.

Check if you can return home

If you’ve had to leave your home, check with the emergency services that it’s safe before you return.

Your home or business may also need a safety inspection by the utility companies before you can turn the water, gas and electricity back on.

Cleaning and repairing your home

Take advice from specialists before starting repairs to your property. Most of the repair work after flooding will need to be undertaken by professionals appointed by your insurers.

Flood water may contain harmful substances like sewage, chemicals and animal waste which could make you unwell. If you come into contact with flood water, wash your hands thoroughly.

When cleaning your home after a flood always wear gloves, a face mask and sturdy footwear. Find out how to clean up your home safely after a flood.

Before you start cleaning, take photographs to document damage and record the flood water height. Ask your insurer before discarding items that cannot be cleaned, like mattresses and carpets.

If you use heaters or dehumidifiers to dry out your property, make sure there’s good ventilation. Never use petrol or diesel-powered generators indoors – their exhaust gases are potentially lethal.

If you have any questions about recovering from a flood, such as disposing of used sandbags or damaged furniture, contact your local authority. They should help with collecting large flood-damaged items. They’ll tell you where to put them and when they may be collected.

Protect your property from future floods

To reduce flood damage you could take measure such as laying tiles instead of carpets, moving electrical sockets higher up the walls and fitting non-return valves.

Suppliers of flood products and services can be found on the Bluepages.

Read the National Flood Forum's advice on how to protect your property from flooding in the future.

Stay healthy

You can find general advice about staying healthy after a flood.

If you notice a change in the colour, taste or smell of your tap water, stop using it and phone your water company.

You can get support from your local health protection team to prevent and reduce the effect of diseases.

Don’t eat food that’s touched flood water. If your electricity is off, don’t eat fresh food from a fridge after 4 hours or from a freezer after 24 hours.

The Food Standards Agency offers detailed food safety advice for flood victims.

Get help

The Environment Agency has specially trained Flood Support Officers across the country who provide information and advice during and after floods. Call Floodline (24-hour service) on 0345 988 1188 or type-talk (for the hard of hearing) on 0345 602 6340 to find out if they’re active in your area.

Get emotional support

Having a flooded home is very stressful. If you need emotional support, contact family and friends, your doctor or an organisation like the Red Cross or the Samaritans.

The UK Health Security Agency offers a guide to mental wellbeing after a flood.

Apply for financial aid

You may be able to get financial aid for flood recovery. Apply to your local council.