How to prepare for flooding
Did you know that you do not have to live near the sea or a river to be at risk of flooding?
For the home you live in now, or a home you are thinking of moving into, it is worth checking your flood risk. The cost of repairs for a home which has been flooded is £20,000 to £30,000. You can check the flood history of a property and the flood risk of an area online.
What is surface water flooding?
Surface water flooding is when there is too much rainfall for the land and drainage systems to absorb or process. The impact of surface water flooding can be made worse by a few factors, including the type of ground surface and the state of drains and gutters. Thankfully, this means we can all help to do something about it.
What is groundwater flooding?
Groundwater flooding is different to surface water flooding, and usually much slower. It happens when the water within the ground - the water table - rises above the surface. This can have significant impact on buildings and basements, especially in areas like Hampshire that lies over chalk and other porous geology.
Struggling to get flood cover on your house insurance?
Flood Re is a joint initiative between Government and insurers. It is a re-insurance Scheme that makes flood cover more widely available and affordable as part of home insurance.
Flood Re helps households at the highest risk of flooding.
Did you know?
Trees reduce surface water run-off by 80% when compared to asphalt? (Woodland Trust).
Plastic grass absorbs less than 50% of rainfall, causing run-off and flooding.
Adding flood resilience measures to your home can reduce the cost of flood repairs by as much as 73% in some cases (FloodRe).
Do you need support with flooding?
If it is an emergency and you or someone else is in danger, dial 999.
In a flooding emergency, you should focus on the safety of yourself and your family.
How to prepare for flooding
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Make a home for leafy plants
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Keep it real
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Install a water butt
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Make a home for leafy plants
If you have a garden, making a home for leafy plants is a quick and effective way to help avoid the severe effects of flooding – the leafier, the better! This is because the leaves delay the time taken for any rain to hit the ground. And as plants absorb water through their roots, the more you have, the better your garden is at absorbing water and reducing your risk of surface water flooding.
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Keep it real
Artificial turf may seem appealing at first, but the long-term reality of it is far from picturesque. Along with its other environmental and economic downsides, artificial grass is unable to absorb rainfall like real grass can. Compared to an almost 100% absorption rate for real grass, artificial grass absorbs less than 50%, leading to run-off and causing flooding (Society of Garden Designers).
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Install a water butt
A water butt comes with many benefits. It reduces the volume of surface water in your garden by collecting and storing rainfall, which you can then use during droughts or heatwaves. By protecting your garden throughout wetter winters, you’re also preparing for drier summers.
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Clear your gutters and drains
Gutters and drains are fundamental for channeling away excess water. By ensuring they are clear of leaves and debris, you will maximise their performance. One way to keep them in good shape is to install gutter and drain guards, which help prevent blockages.
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Design your outdoor space to prevent surface flooding
Surface flooding is much more likely on hard surfaces in heavy rainfall. If you can, try to: minimise your use of paving and opt for permeable materials, which allow water to pass through, where needed; opt for a turf lawn over an artificial one, as turf is better at absorbing water and comes with the added benefit of providing food for wildlife; level your lawn, as having a level surface will improve drainage and prevent surface water pooling.
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Raise electrical items and plug sockets
By raising the height of plug sockets in your home, you can reduce the risk of water damage to wiring and electrical items. This could decrease the cost of any flood repairs and also reduce the risk of fire.
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Clear your gutters and drains
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Design your outdoor space to prevent surface flooding
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Raise electrical items and plug sockets
Support for residents
To report flooding, visit our flood management webpage to find the most appropriate contact.