Flooding checklist for residents

Before a flood

Check you are flood-insured:

Make sure your insurance policy includes adequate coverage for the effects of flooding. Flood RE offers affordable insurance to homes identified as at risk of flooding.

Create a flood kit or flood plan for your home and/or business

A flood kit should contain items like a torch, first aid kit, prescription medicines, warm and waterproof shoes and clothing, rubber gloves, bottled water and snacks, essential pet and children supplies, insurance details and passport details, portable wind-up radio and a list of important contact numbers. Put the kit in a box and store this high up.

If you're a business, your flood plan should include staff contact lists, location map for key items, checklist of procedures and a copy of your insurance. Make sure staff are aware of what to do if flooding impacts the business or their travel.

Know your utilities

Familiarise yourself with the location of your gas, electricity and water supplies and how to quickly shut them off in an emergency.

Consider flood protection measures

Preventing the impacts of flooding is better than recovering from the effects of flooding.

When flooding is forecast

• Stay up to date with the latest flooding information - the Scottish Flood Forecast provides a three day look ahead at the likelihood of flooding.
• Keep your mobile phone fully charged.
• Protect your belongings, property and pets.
• Move your vehicle out of the flood risk area.
• Move important documents and valuable items to a safe place.
• Make sure all flood protection products are in place and working correctly.
• Move pets and animals to a safe place and ensure they have enough food and water.
• Check in on people.
• If you're a business, keep staff, customers and suppliers informed and consider impacts to transport plans.

During a flood

• Move important documents and valuable items to a safe place.
• Shut off gas, electricity and water supplies.
• Make sure all flood protection products are in place and working correctly.
• Move pets and animals to a safe place and ensure they have enough food and water.
• Do not use any electrical appliances.
• If you're a business, let staff, customers and suppliers know not to travel into the flood area.
• Avoid flood water.
• Do not walk, drive or swim through flood water.
• Do not have any form of direct contact with flood water - it could be contaminated.
• Get yourself to safety.
• Do not stay on lower ground. Move to higher ground and wait for the emergency services to find you.
• Do not obstruct the emergency services. Follow their advice and instructions as they are responsible, along with the local authority, for co-ordinating relief measures.

After a flood

• Flood waters can be contaminated with harmful bacteria so wear appropriate clothing and protection.
• Contact your insurance company.
• Don't use any electrical items or turn your electricity supply back on until a qualified electrician or utility company has checked out your electrics. 
• When safe to do so assess any damage caused by the flooding, gathering evidence such as photos, assets or stock if you are a business. Do not discard any property until instructed by your insurer.
• Be aware of the stress and strain of being flooded and clearing up afterwards. Tiredness, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety are normal in these circumstances, but take time to consider your family's wellbeing and seek help if you start to feel overwhelmed. See your GP or visit the drop-in centre for details of help available.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm clean water or use wet wipes if there is no clean water available. Keep cuts clean and use waterproof plasters.
• Keep children safe - keep their hands clean, particularly before eating and don't let them play on paved areas until they have been cleaned. Grass is usually safe after about a week because sunlight and soil help destroy harmful bacteria. Wash toys in hot water and detergent, and soft toys in a hot machine wash.
• Take care of your pets also by keeping them away from grass or affected areas until cleaned.

Assistance

• Council officers will carry out welfare checks to offer assistance and support where necessary and where they can to places that have been flooded or in the days after the flooding.
• Residents whose home has been affected by flooding, should contact their landlord and/or insurance company as soon as possible. 
• Council tenants who feel their home is no longer habitable as a result of flooding should contact their Locality Housing Team as soon as possible by calling 01738 476000.
• Council tenants who just need to report a repair that will not affect their ability to remain in the property, should call 01738 476 000 (option 1) and select the housing repairs option or report the non-urgent/routine repair to us online using MyPKC.
• Private-sector or Housing Association tenants should contact their landlord or letting agent to advise them of the situation and request assistance.  
• Owner-occupiers should notify their insurance company of any damage as soon as possible.
• If alternative accommodation is required and the landlord, agent or insurance company is unable to provide this, you can contact the Housing Options Team on 01738 476 000 (option 2) or 0800 917 0708 outside normal working hours. 

This Team can also be contacted if you need general support and assistance.  

Health and social care services can be accessed by contacting the Access Team on 0345 30 111 20 - this number connects into services at all times of the day or night.

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