Be prepared at home
Check if your home is at risk of flood, guidance for gardens and who's responsible for drains and pipes.
Prepare for flooding
Check if your property is at risk using GOV.UK's flood maps or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
Read GOV.UK's advice on preparing for a flood. Also:
- read what to do before and after a flood
- sign up to the Met Office weather warnings
- get a flood kit
- make a flood plan
If you live near a watercourse, use the Environment Agency’s guide to owning a watercourse to help you work out your responsibilities.
If you're at risk from river or tidal flooding or are affected by groundwater, sign up for GOV.UK's flood warning service.
Gardens
If you're paving your garden use a permeable product. Check the guidance on:
Pipes and drains
A drain is the property owner's responsibility until it connects to either someone else's drain or to a public sewer.
They should also check for blockages. If flooding occurs, it's likely to be the property owner’s responsibility.
If your drains are blocked, call a plumber or drainage engineer. You can get get specific insurance for drains within a property.
Call Thames Water on 0800 316 9800 if water is ‘backing up’ into your toilet, sink, bath or is flooding from a sewer.