Flooding advice & guidance

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1 Flooding advice & guidance Conwy County Borough Council Environment Department

2 Useful contacts Conwy County Borough Council 24 hour flood response: Environment Agency Wales Floodline: Dwr Cymru / Welsh Water Sewerage Service & Emergencies: Met Office The National Flood Forum For advice on how to make your home more flood resilient.

3 What does the Council do during a flood? During a flood, the Council s 24 hour flood response line is available to take calls from concerned residents. We can provide advice and distribute sandbags to try and help reduce the risk of your home flooding. However, during severe floods, resources can obviously be limited and it may not be possible to respond to all requests in all areas. We ll always do our best, but we ll give priority on the basis of need for example, vulnerable people or large communities that are in severe danger. Our main priority is always to ensure public safety. The Council has no legal responsibility to provide assistance to residents during times of flooding, however, we try and make sure we can respond in an emergency to protect life and property. Before a flood Flooding advice be prepared for flooding Find out whether you are at risk from flooding by phoning the Environment Agency Wales Floodline on or looking at their flood maps at: Make a flood plan and find out about ways to reduce the impact of flooding on your home or business. A template can be downloaded from the Environment Agency Wales website. Check your buildings and contents insurance does it cover you for flooding? Find out how to turn off your electricity, gas and water supplies.

4 Have your own supply of sandbags to seal entrances and air bricks don t rely on the Council as you may not get them in time during a flood. You can also help to protect your property by buying your own flood prevention products. There are several different types of products available from different manufacturers. Further details can be found in the Blue Pages Directory on the National Flood Forum website at Keep items of personal value and treasured mementos in a safe place and out of reach of floodwater don t wait until a flood to do this. Before a flood Make up a flood kit containing the following items This leaflet and your completed flood plan. List of important contact numbers. Copies of insurance documents. Wind-up or normal torch and radio (with spare batteries). First aid kit and prescription medication. Bottled water. Waterproof clothing and wellington boots. Flood warning Know your flood warning codes and check the Environment Agency Wales website for advice on the actions to take when flood warnings are in force. Sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct, a FREE service from the Environment Agency Wales, to receive advance warnings of flooding by phone, fax, text or . Listen to local radio and TV for weather updates. Check the following for updates in your area - BBC Ceefax (page 419), ITV Teletext (page 169) and BBC Red Button (page 405). Contact the Environment Agency Wales Floodline for advice and the latest information in areas at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea.

5 During a flood If your property is threatened Put flood protection measures into place. Take items of value to the highest place possible. Move your car to higher ground, if safe to do so. Move pets to safety. If you have to evacuate Pack a bag with spare warm clothing, washing kit, medication and baby care items. DO NOT touch electricity sources when standing in flood water. Turn off electricity, gas and water supplies if it is safe to do so. Make arrangements for your pets. Tell family and friends where you are going. Take your flood kit and get yourself to safety. DO NOT drive through flood water 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles (Met Office).

6 Important stay safe, flood water is dangerous Listen to advice from emergency services. Keep children and vulnerable people safe. Avoid walking though flood water, streams or rivers in full flow just six inches of rapidly moving water can knock a person over (Met Office). Wash hands thoroughly if you have had contact with flood water. During a flood

7 After a flood Contact your buildings and contents insurance companies as soon as possible Ask how long it will take them to see you. Check if they have a company that will clean your house or whether you have to do it yourself. Speak to them before throwing away damaged items or undertaking any repair work. Take photographs of damage to your property.

8 When cleaning your property Wear gloves and waterproof clothing as the flood water may be contaminated. Watch out for broken glass and other dangerous items. You can use ordinary household cleaning products. Open windows and doors if you are drying your property naturally. Close windows and doors if you are drying your property using dehumidifiers. After a flood Reconnecting utilities to your property Contact your electricity and water companies to check whether supplies are reconnected in your area. Gas and oil central heating should be checked by an engineer and electrics by a qualified electrician before they are turned back on.