Flooding
Flooding is a priority risk in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, highlighting the need to plan and prepare.
There are two types of flooding risk to be aware of:
- Fluvial flooding - rising water and burst rivers
- Pluvial flooding - surface water caused by the sudden heavy downpours that are now more prevalent in our changing climate
Leicester City is currently one of the top 10 flood risk areas in the country, due to the combination of fluvial and pluvial flood risk.
How you could be affected
A flooding incident could:
- cause significant damage to property, businesses and the economy
- affect daily life if residents need to be evacuated
- impact mental health
- cause injury and death
- disrupt power supplies and transport networks
- impact the environment causing pollution, harm to livestock, wildlife and habitats
What you should do
Be prepared
- Know your flood risk - check the long term flood risk in your area or call the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0345 988 1188
- Stay informed - sign up for free flood alerts and warnings
- Prepare an emergency pack - stock up on essentials and keep them within reach
- Learn about flood products and services - visit the Blue Pages for information to help reduce the risk of flooding to your home or business
- Create flood plans for your household, business and community - visit the Flood Hub if your home or business is located in a flood risk area
During the incident
- Ensure you and your family are safe - if there is an immediate risk to life or you are trapped by flood water, call 999
- Stay away from the water - move people, pets and valuables to a higher level in your property
- Move furniture and switch off electrical equipment - raise any furniture that you cannot move upstairs off the floor
- Turn off gas, electricity, and water supplies - do not touch any electrical appliances or cables when standing in flood water
- Avoid non-essential travel - if you must travel, do not drive through flood water
- Check on the elderly and vulnerable - make sure family members and neighbours are safe
- Follow instructions - the emergency services and local authorities will guide you in the case of a flood incident
After the incident
- Report the flooding incident - if you are affected by flooding, report it to your Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA)
- Contact your insurer - take photos or videos and make a list of everything that has been damaged
- Dispose of flood damaged items - contact your local district council to find out how to do that safely
- Avoid contact with flood water - wear protective clothing and footwear when cleaning up as water could be contaminated
- Seek assistance - visit the Flood Hub for further advice about recovering from a flood
Further advice and information
National Flood Forum - a charity helping, supporting and representing people at risk of flooding
Association of British Insurers - helping households who are struggling to obtain flood cover
Flooding and Health - advice for the public on flood recovery and mental health impacts
Lead Local Flood Authorities responsible for developing, maintaining and applying a strategy for local flood risk management: