How To Check If Your Property Is At Risk Of Flooding
Scientists have issued stark warnings about the imminent and irreversible impact of climate change and the subsequent risk of flooding on our daily lives. But what does this mean for the average homeowner?
The rising water table, higher sea levels and extreme weather events are putting more properties at risk of flooding than ever before.
Those who are long-term homeowners may feel confident their property is not at risk of flooding. However, individuals living in a new property, or those who’ve observed alterations in local water drainage patterns in recent years would be wise to assess the vulnerability of their homes to potential flooding.
Having a heads up can give you a chance to lower the risks and mitigate any damage.
5 Ways to Check Whether Your Property is at Risk of Flooding (In England)
- Check for flood warnings or weather updates by entering a town or city into the Government’s Check for Flooding Service.
- Use the same service to find nearby Rivers and Waterways with Rainfall Levels, comparing current river levels to historical high-water marks.
- An easy address search on the Government’s Long Term Flood Risk tool will tell you how likely your actual address is to become flooded.
- If you aren’t online, you can find out about the risk of flooding in your area by calling Floodline, England’s 24/7 flood warning service, on 0345 988 1188. Before you call, check the call charges with your telephone network provider.
- Finally, you can also sign up to receive flood warnings by phone, email or text message if your business is at risk of flooding.
For those in the UK but outside of England, please refer to the below agencies:
- Scotland – SEPA
- Northern Ireland – NIDirect
- Wales- Natural Resources Wales
Of course, if you know there’s a chance your property may flood, there are some things you can do to minimise the risk to your home or business premises. Read our blog on ‘How to Reduce Stress in the Event of a Fire or Flood’ to prepare yourself for every outcome.
If you’ve already faced flooding, we recommend reading ‘What to do if your property suffers water damage.’ In this guide, we elaborate on how Rainbow’s flood remediation specialists can assist you in promptly restoring your flood-damaged property, allowing you to return to your normal living or working conditions.
Rainbow Restoration have a nationwide network of flood remediation specialists, ready for when you need them. With over 50 branches across the country, and a 24-hour helpline, our specialists are just one phone call away.
Updated 17/10/23