Several areas are affected by flooding or flood warnings and we have set up a Floodline number, 01635 572282, which affected residents can call us on. Please remember that lines may be busy so only contact us if you need to. You can also e-mail us at floodline@sovereign.org.uk.
To be able to evacuate residents and help those whose homes have flooded, we are currently postponing all non-emergency repairs and maintenance work in some areas.
Gas engineers and electricians are trying to reconnect power to homes affected over the weekend and we are reviewing how we can help people with cleaning their properties if they have been seriously flooded or contaminated by foul water.
Click here for our latest news bulletin on how staff have been helping residents in areas like Thatcham and Pangbourne.
General advice on flooding
You can check for the latest flood warnings on ITV Teletext (page 154) and BBC Ceefax (page 419) or by calling the Environment Agency’s Floodline Service on 0845 988 1188.
You can also visit their website at www.environmentagency.gov.uk
Prepare for flooding
Follow this checklist from the Environment Agency to prepare if your home has been forecast to be affected by a flood.
Gas, electricity and water
- Put plugs into sinks and weigh them down with something heavy
- Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains. Find out where these are well in advance of any flood
- Unplug all electrical items and store upstairs or as high up as possible
Reduce flood water getting into your home
- Silicone sealant - open doors and windows, smear a layer of this around the frame, then shut and lock the door/window.
- Ideally, cover doors, windows and airbricks with plywood, sandbags or metal sheeting. Download our guide, below, for detailed instructions
Furniture and appliances
- Move as much furniture and electrical items as you can upstairs. Alternatively raise them up on bricks or blocks - this may be very helpful for large appliances such as fridge/freezers
- Move furniture away from walls, as this helps when drying your property later
- If you can, roll up carpets and rugs and put them upstairs
- If there is no time to remove curtains, hang them up over the rail so they are kept above flood water
- Leave internal doors open, or ideally, remove them and store them upstairs
Personal Items
- You cannot replace sentimental items. Think about permanently moving these upstairs, so you do not forget to move them in the case of a flood
- Keep important personal documents in a sealed bag, and in a location safe from floodwater
Outside the house
- Move anything not fixed down into a safer location, e.g. dustbins, garden chemicals car oil and similar
- Move your car to higher ground to avoid damage
- Weigh down manhole covers outside the house to prevent them floating away and leaving a hazardous hole
What to do if you hear a flood warning for your home
- Listen out for warnings on radio and TV (a portable radio and spare batteries are useful if you lose your electricity supply).
- 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.
If you are affected by flooding, stay safe and remember that floods can kill. 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.
Do not switch on gas or electricity supplies until they have been inspected.
Avoid contact with floodwater if you can – it may be contaminated with sewage.
Do not use food which has been in contact with flood water.
Published 4 June 2007
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