Some five million people in the UK are at risk of flooding and the personal and financial effects of a serious flood can be devastating.
Here we provide a comprehensive guide to dealing with the flood water and getting things back to normal.
If the worst happens and you are at imminent risk of flooding you should take the following action.
•Listen out for warnings on radio and TV and check the Environment Agency flood information.
•Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety.
•Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly.
•Put sandbags or flood boards in place - but make sure your property is ventilated. Plug sinks/baths and put a sandbag in the toilet bowl to prevent backflow.
•Be ready to turn off gas and electricity (get help if needed). Unplug electrical items and move them upstairs if possible.
•Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities - you may be evacuated to a rest centre.
•Do as much as you can in daylight. Doing anything in the dark will be a lot harder, especially if the electricity fails.
The dangers
•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. Manhole covers may have come off and there may be other hazards you can't see.
•Never try to swim through fast flowing water - you may get swept away or be struck by an object in the water.
•Don't walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges if possible - they may collapse in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves. Beware of stones and pebbles being thrown up by waves.
•Avoid contact with floodwater - it may be contaminated with sewage.
Who can help?
The emergency services will help those who are in danger or stranded from floods. Local authorities set-up centres for those displaced from their homes so keep the telephone number of your close by. You can find it here.
The Citizens Advice Bureau can help people obtain money in an emergency and can help with insurance claims. Get the number for your local CAB here.
Making a claim on you insurance
In the immediate aftermath of a flood you should:
•Call your insurance company's (24 hour) Emergency Helpline as soon as possible. They will be able to provide information on dealing with your claim, and assistance in getting things back to normal.
•Keep a record of the flood damage (especially photographs or video footage) and retain correspondence with insurers after the flood.
•Commission immediate emergency pumping/repair work if necessary to protect your property from further damage. This can be undertaken without insurer approval (remember to get receipts).
•Get advice where detailed, lengthy repairs are needed. Your insurer or loss adjuster can give advice on reputable contractors / tradesmen. Beware of bogus tradesmen and always check references.
•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.
Clearing up
•Check with your local authority or health authority in the first instance or look under 'Flood Damage' in Yellow Pages for suppliers of cleaning materials or equipment to dry out your property. It takes a house brick about one month per inch to dry out.
•Open doors and windows to ventilate the house, but take care to ensure your house and valuables are secure.
•Contact your gas, electricity and water company. Have your power supplies checked before you turn them back on to make sure they have dried out. Wash taps and run them for a few minutes before use.
•Don't attempt to dry out photos or papers - place them in a plastic bag, and if possible store them in the fridge.
•Throw away food which may have been in contact with floodwater - it could be contaminated. Contact your local authority Environmental Health department for advice.
•Don't think it can't happen again. Restock your supplies and be prepared for another flood.