Flood advice
Looking after yourself and mental health
Floodwater can contain hidden dangers such as uncovered manholes or obstacles – so never enter floodwater.
We know that heavy rain fall may trigger feelings of anxiety, fear or worry, particularly for those who have been previously affected by flooding.
Here are some things you can do to help reduce any feelings of anxiety caused by heavy rainfall and the activation of local flood defences:
Talk to somebody about how you are feeling, if you don’t feel able to talk to friends or family you can call Mindline - Somerset’s emotional support and mental health helpline which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 01823 276 892 (local) 0800 138 1692 (freephone)
Try and do activities that help you to feel less stressed like exercising, reading, listening to music or meditating
Help neighbours and others in your community, look out for each other
Follow your normal routine as much as possible
Visit the Every Mind Matters website where you can find lots of tips and exercises to help manage anxiety
Stay up-to-date on weather information and warnings. If you’re aware of the latest information, you may gain a sense of control over the situation. Check for flooding - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What can I do to prepare for flooding?
Thinking ahead and preparing for what the weather may bring can make a real difference in your home, business and community.
One of the first things is to check is whether your property is at risk of flooding.
We also recommend taking precautionary measures and purchasing your own sandbags in case of flooding emergencies. If sandbags are not available, you can use:
rolled-up mats or carpets
bags of garden compost
pillow cases filled with soil (don't overfill them)
timber boards (possibly screwed to door frames and sealed with mastic)
What to do during a flood
There is information to help you on what to do during a flood on the Somerset Prepared website. The key point is to always stay safe, in an immediate flood emergency or where there is a risk to life, follow the advice of the emergency services.
Protect yourself from future flooding
It is advisable to plan how you’ll respond to a flood. Information and plans are available to help you plan ahead.
We also encourage you to download the ‘Prepare. Act. Survive.’ flood plan to help reduce the impact of flooding.
You can find up to date information on flood warnings by visiting the flood warnings page on the Government's website.
For more info contact:
Email: Flooding@somerset.gov.uk
