If you live in a flood risk area, do what you can now to prepare for a flood. Don’t wait until it happens because you may not have time.
Check flood risk
The Environment Agency has a service that allows you to find out:
- the long term flood risk in your area
- possible causes of flooding
- how to manage flood risk
The service will tell you about an area’s long term risk from:
- rivers and the sea
- surface water
- reservoirs
- groundwater (where data is available)
Check the long term flood risk for an area.
Sign up for flood warnings
The Environment Agency operates a four stage flood warning system:
- Flood alert – flooding is possible. Be prepared.
- Flood warning – flooding is expected. Immediate action required.
- Severe flood warning – severe flooding. Danger to life.
- Warnings no longer in force – no further flooding is currently expected in your area.
If you live in a flood zone, i.e. you are at risk from flooding from rivers or the sea, you can sign up for these flood warnings. This service is free for residential properties
How to plan ahead for flooding
Weather warnings and tide information
Sign up for weather warnings
Use the Met Office’s app to sign up for weather warnings or access them through the Met Office’s website.
Access tide information
If you are at risk of tidal flooding, you might wish to access information about high tides. Tidal gauges close to the city are located at:
- Plymouth (Devonport)
- Saltash
- Turnchapel
- Bovisand Pier
Emergency action plans and “grab bags”
Plan how you will respond to a flood
You may wish to use an Environment Agency flood plan template. Different versions are available for making a:
Prepare an emergency “grab bag”
You might wish to prepare an emergency “grab bag” containing essentials for you and your family, including medication and insurance documents, protected in polythene. This bag can then be used if you need to leave your home at short notice.
See the National Flood Forum’s emergency flood kit advice for other items you might wish to include.