Bedford BC has the following advice on flooding
Before a flood
Prepare a flood kit:
Pack a small bag with essential belongings and include warm clothes, torch (check batteries), radio
(wind-up or battery powered), food, water, other drink, mobile phone (input useful numbers in advance),
any medicines that you may need to take, any important documents that you have and a first-aid kit.
Keep this bag easily accessible.
Collect personal belongings together, including insurance and bank details and essential telephone
numbers, and keep them in a waterproof bag.
Move people, pets, valuables and sentimental items upstairs or to a high place downstairs.
Keep a separate list of useful telephone numbers to hand (this should include your local council,
your insurance company and Floodline – 0845 988 188).
Find out where and how to turn off your gas and electricity. Ensure that you switch it off before
evacuating your home if flooding is imminent.
If possible, move electrical equipment and furniture upstairs.
Any furniture that you cannot move upstairs, try to raise well off the floor.
Alert neighbours and assist the elderly, infirm and those with small children.
Block doorways and air bricks.
Avoid walking and driving through floodwater; there could be hidden hazards.
Keep up to date with local radio for further information and announcements and via Floodline 0845
988 1188.
During a flood
Continue to listen to situation updates on your local radio and via Floodline 0845 988 1188.
Keep dry and out of floodwater if possible
Stay in your property, if safe to do so, until the emergency services tell you to do otherwise or the
floodwater has receded.
Do not walk or drive through flowing floodwater.
If it is necessary to walk through shallow floodwater, take care for hidden holes, obstacles or other
hazards.
Do not walk on river banks or sea defences or cross bridges over torrential rivers.
Avoid contact with floodwater and wash any exposed parts before handling food or attending to
wounds.
If possible, move electrical equipment and furniture upstairs.
If evacuation becomes necessary
Stay calm and do not panic.
Police officers or other officials (or both) will try to visit all properties at risk, to tell you if you need to
evacuate.
If road conditions permit, move vehicles to unaffected areas and ask friends/family if you can share
their parking facilities.
You will hear about your evacuation point for transport and the location of the reception centre
either verbally or by a leaflet.
Try to check that any elderly/vulnerable family members or neighbours know about the evacuation.
Listen to the advice of the authorities and follow any instructions to leave a property.
After a flood/returning home
Contact your insurers as soon as possible and follow their advice. Most insurers have a 24-hour
helpline. Do not throw away damaged goods until your insurer has authorised you to do so. It is a
good idea to take photographs of the damage.
Check the safety of electricity and gas before use. A qualified electrician needs to check any
electrical equipment and circuits that have been exposed to floodwater.
Avoid contact with any remaining floodwater or items that have had contact with floodwater unless
wearing protective gloves/clothing.
Boil all tap water until it is declared safe by the water-supply company.
Wash your and your children’s hands frequently with bottled water if your supply has not been
declared fit for use. Disinfect any children’s toys.
Dispose of any contaminated food, including tinned, defrosted and packaged foods that have been
exposed to floodwater.
Seek medical assistance if any health issues appear, especially flu-like symptoms.
Ventilate your property but keep security in mind.
Do not throw rubbish and furniture outdoors; wait for an organised collection.
During these hard times, bogus or cowboy builders and traders often offer their services. Make
sure you get a written quotation that is on letter-headed paper with a landline contact number and
address.
11 February 2014
Flooding Advice
