There are a number of things you can do to prepare for when a flood happens. You can look at the below links for advice and situation updates.
Met Office severe weather warnings (North East)
Newcastle City Council Twitter (live updates)
Newcastle City Council Facebook
FloodGroup UK on Facebook
LTP Tyne and Wear website for traffic disruptions and road closures
Tyne and Wear UTMC Twitter (live traffic reports and updates)
Protecting Your Property
Keeping safe
Advice to motorists, cyclists, pedestrians
During heavy rain and flooding, you should aviod travelling where possible. If a journey is essential, you should take extra care and bear in mind the following:
- Avoid walking or driving through floodwater – six inches of fast flowing water is enough to knock you off your feet and two feet of water will float your car. There may be other hazards you can’t see such as missing manhole covers.
- It can take up to 10 times longer to stop on wet roads, so slow down and leave yourself plenty of time and space between you and the vehicle in front so you can stop if you need to.
- Rain and spray can reduce visibility
- If your vehicle starts to aquaplane, or lose its grip on the road surface, slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator.
- Try to avoid sudden breaking or steering because this could cause you to skid and lose control.
- Avoid coming in direct contact with floodwater; it may be contaminated with sewage or other pollutants.
- Recreational areas that are flooded should not be used until cleared of excess water.
- Prevent children from playing in flood water and encourage them to wash their hands regularly
- It can take up to 10 times longer to stop on wet roads, so slow down and leave yourself plenty of time and space between you and the vehicle in front so you can stop if you need to
Before a Flood
- Register for flood warning messages from the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0845 988 1188 so you have more time to prepare for a flood.
- Prepare a family flood kit and keep this in a handy place. The kit should include a torch, first aid kit (including waterproof plasters), warm and waterproof shoes and clothing, supplies of prescription medicines, antibacterial wipes, bottled water, food, rubber gloves, children’s supplies, pet supplies, insurance details, portable radio with spare batteries and a bag or rucksack in case of evacuation.
- Keep a list of useful contact numbers, including your GP surgery and NHS 24.
- Make sure all the family know what to do and how to keep in touch during a flood.
Flooding in your home
- Avoid coming into direct contact with flood water.
- Don’t assume your tap water is safe to drink. Use either bottled water or boiled water for drinking and food preparation purposes.
- If you have young children in the house, try and find alternative accommodation until the flood water has receded.
- Wash your hands regularly to get rid of harmful bugs. Use boiled (then cooled) water or bottled water and soap, then rinse and dry your hands. If there is no clean water available use disposable wet wipes.
- Keep open cuts or sores clean and prevent them being exposed to floodwater. Wear waterproof plasters.
Cleaning up after a flood
- Keep warm as being cold can lead to hypothermia.
- Wear rubber gloves and protective clothing during the clean up process.
- Don’t drink your tap water until you are advised to do so. Clean taps with a detergent and hot water and immerse in a solution of disinfectant, at a dilution in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Food preparation surfaces and equipment should be thoroughly washed using a food safe disinfectant.
- Dispose of any flood damaged food, including tins as they could be contaminated.
- Clothing, bedding, fabrics, soft toys and similar objects should be laundered at 60oc or above.
- Wash down all hard surfaces with detergent and hot water several times until visually clean and dry. You may also want to wash over these surfaces using a disinfectant, diluted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
- Remove dirty water and silt from the property as much as possible, including from the space under your downstairs floorboards.
- Allow your property and belongings to dry thoroughly, this will help destroy any germs left behind. If using petrol or diesel generators, dehumidifiers, pressure washers or patio gas heater in the washing and drying process, always ensure the room is well ventilated to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from the equipment’s exhaust gases.
