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Flooding Issues and insurance
Apparently you're more at risk of claiming
on your insurance because of weather related issues than you are burglary.
One of the most highlighted weather issues recently has been flooding,
especially following the horrific flooding of Boscastle - a beautiful
little village in Cornwall.
If you're moving house - what should you watch out for?
Your solictor will do checks and searches on your property. These include
flooding risk assessments, They use data provided by the environment
agency - so if you know the postcode of the property you can find out
yourself - Visit
the flooding section of the Environment Agency site - When you're
using the flooding map you can also add in layers of other issues of
concern (Hold CTRL to add them all at once)
Check the flood risk for the area SEPA (for Scotland).
Find out what the local flood warning service for your area is by contacting
Floodline: 0845 988 1188,
Check local flood records via Floodline. Is there a history of flooding
in the area? Ask neighbours if it is susceptible to flooding, (The
householder might not be strictly truthful as they're trying to sell
the property)
Check access to the property - if it was flooded would you be able
to get out easily?
Is it very low-lying and therefore more vulnerable to flooding (at
the bottom of a hill or on higher ground),
Could the property be adapted easily? Power points moved up high, scope
to change the flooring, remove skirting boards etc.
Moving to a bungalow? Check your escape route in the event of a flood.
Is there plenty of storage space for valuables, e.g. large loft?
Don't underestimate the damage a flood can do. Make sure you have adequate
buildings and contents insurance cover.
If you are in an area vulnerable to flooding - What you should do before
a flood
Keep a list of useful numbers to hand e.g. your local council, the emergency
services, your insurance company, Floodline 0845 988 1188 and the quick
dial number for your area,
Have a few sandbags or flood boards prepared to block doorways and airbricks.
Check the Agency's website for advice on how to lay sandbags effectively,
Make up a flood kit - including a torch, blankets, waterproof clothing,
wellingtons, a portable radio, first aid kit, rubber gloves and key personal
documents. Keep it upstairs, if possible,
Talk about possible flooding with your family or those you live with.
Consider writing a flood plan and store these notes with your flood kit,
Make sure you know where to turn off your gas and electricity,
What about your pets? Where will you move them to if a flood is on the
way?
Think about your car. Where could you move it to in the event of a flood
warning?
Get into the habit of storing valuable or sentimental personal belongings
upstairs or in a high place downstairs,
Think about medication. In the event of a flood, you'll still need to
take it,
What to do when you hear a warning - Follow the Flood Warning
Codes
Flood Watch
Watch water levels,
Stay alert. Keep an eye on the weather. Listen out for warnings on radio
and TV,
Check out the Environment Agency's website (for England and Wales). They
update their flood warnings online 24 hours a day.
Or ring Floodline on 0845 988 1188. This number covers England, Wales
and Scotland.
Make sure you have what you need to put your flood plan into action,
Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly,
Check pets and livestock,
Reconsider travel plans,
Be aware that the situation could worsen,
Do as much as you can in daylight. Doing everything in the dark will
be a lot harder, especially if the electricity fails.
Flood Warning
Move pets, vehicles, valuables, and other items to safety,
Put sandbags or flood boards in place,
Prepare to turn off gas and electricity,
Be prepared to evacuate your home or business · Protect yourself,
your family and others that need your help,
Take action based on Family Flood Plan,
Have warm clothing and wellingtons ready,
Have medication to hand (if needed),
Be ready to turn off gas and electricity (get help if needed),
Check water/food stocks,
Don't drive through floodwater.
Severe Flood Warning
Be prepared to lose power supplies - gas, electricity, water, telephone,
Try to keep calm, and to reassure others - especially children,
Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities - you may be
evacuated to emergency centres,
Protect family, pets and irreplaceable items.
Safety first during a flood
Flooding can kill. Don't try to walk or drive through floodwater - six
inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water
will float your car,
Don't walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges - they
may collapse in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves,
Take care when walking through shallow water - manhole covers may have
come off and there may be other underwater hazards,
Avoid contact with floodwater - it may be contaminated with sewage,
Never try to swim through fast flowing water - you may get swept away
or struck by an object in the water.,
Beware of flooding at dips in the roads, bridges and low spots - turn
back if the road is flooded,
Beware of pebbles and stones being thrown up by waves - they may hit
you, your car or your home.
What to do after a flood
Ask gas, electricity and water companies to check your supplies before
turning back on,
Take up sections of damaged floorboards, carpet, wall tiles, wet furnishings
- clean off mud and contaminants, wash with disinfectant and leave them
to dry outside if possible,
Clean and dry out your property as quickly as possible to minimise damp
problems,
Check Yellow Pages under flood damage for suppliers of cleaning materials
or equipment to dry out your property,
Wash your hands with disinfectant/wear rubber gloves,
Water supply companies advise that mains tap water should not be contaminated.
Wash taps and run them for a few minutes before use. If in doubt contact
your water company,
Do not touch items that have been in contact with floodwater which may
be contaminated eg food · Check external walls, roofs and drainage
systems · Contact your local authority for information on how
to deal with saltwater floods,
Contact English Heritage for advice on repairs to listed buildings.
S
Contact Your Insurers
Telephone your insurance company's 24 hour emergency helpline,
Commission immediate emergency pumping /repair work to protect your property
from further damage,
Get advice where detailed, lengthy repairs are needed,
Check with your insurer if you have to move into alternative accommodation
as the cost is normally covered under a household policy,
Make sure your insurance company knows where to contact you if you have
to move out of your home,
Make notes to help your insurer deal with your claim including the time
of flood warning; time the floodwater entered your home; maximum depth
of the flood, how long the flood water was in your home, presence of
any contaminants, what damage was done to building and contents,
Photograph the damage, photos or video footage of the damage can be invaluable
in showing the damage.
Try to keep an inventory of correspondence after the flood (e.g. letters
to Local Authorities, builders, insurers and loss adjuster).
- Information provided by the Environment Agency -
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