Sunday 22 November 2009

How to clear up after a flood

Once again, when dealing with the aftermath of flooding, the Environment Agency says it is important to remember that flood water can carry hazards such as sewage, chemicals and animal waste.

People should wear waterproof outerwear, including gloves, and wellington boots and a face mask.

If your electricity supply is not already switched off at the mains, get a qualified person to do this - on no account should you touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.

If you have gas or oil central heating and it has been checked by an engineer, turn it on. Keep the thermostat between 20-22C for steady drying.

Work carefully
You can get water out of your property using a pump and generator. Put the generator outside in the open air as generators produce carbon monoxide fumes, which can kill.

Only pump out water when flood levels outside your property start to be lower than inside. This reduces the risk of structural damage.

Shovel mud away evenly from both sides of a wall. This stops pressure building up on one side. You can clean and disinfect your property using ordinary household products.

A garden hose is useful for washing down. Do not use high-pressure hoses as they blast contaminated matter into the air.

If you are drying your property naturally, keep doors and windows open as much as possible. If using dehumidifiers, close external doors and windows.

Local councils usually provide skips and extra rubbish collections for items that your insurance company has agreed you can throw away.

What to do after a flood

The UK Environment Agency says the first thing to do is find out if it is in fact safe to return to your property.
It said there might be hidden dangers in the flood water such as sharp objects, raised manhole covers and pollution, and the flooding could have caused structural damage, making a building unsafe.It is important to ring your buildings and contents insurance company as soon as possible.

Act quickly
People should be prepared for the fact that they might not be able to move back in quickly.

In almost all cases the insurance company will send a loss adjuster to look at your property. They will confirm what repairs and replacements are needed and are covered by your policy.

If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.

If you do not have insurance, your local council should be able to provide information on hardship grants or charities that might be able to help you.

What to do when a flood strikes

The Environment Agency - which is responsible for England and Wales - says that in the event of a flood, it is vital to put people before property, co-operate with the emergency services if they tell you to evacuate your home and be prepared to act quickly to get yourself to safety.

In the event of an emergency, the agency urges people take the following precautions:

  • Gather essential items together either upstairs or in a high place - have torches, medication and waterproofs to hand
  • Fill jugs, saucepans and other suitable containers with clean water
  • Move your family and pets upstairs, or to a high place with a means of escape
  • Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home, if it is safe to do so
  • Do not on any account touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water
  • Keep listening to local radio for updates or call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188
  • Flood water can rise quickly; stay calm and reassure those around you. Call 999 if you are in danger
The agency adds that it is important to remember flood water is dangerous and you should avoid walking or driving through it and you should wash your hands thoroughly if you touch it. Do not try to unblock drains yourself.

The agency says that by calling its Floodline, people can select to receive warnings by phone, text, e-mail, fax or pager.

In some areas the agency also gives flood warnings using sirens - usually a wailing sound only activated when a flood is about to happen. Or it might use loudhailers - a vehicle will drive around repeating the flood warnings.

Floodline details

For the latest flood warnings and details call FloodLine on 0845 988 1188

The Environment Agency also off a Flood Warnings Direct service:

We can't always stop the sea and rivers from flooding, but we can tell you when it's going to happen. Some 70 per cent of those who can sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct still have not done so. If you're one of them, sign up now.
Floodline Warnings Direct is a free service that provides flood warnings direct to you by telephone, mobile, email, SMS text message and fax.

Register for the service here: https://fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/home

List of collapsed bridges in Cumbria

  • Northside bridge, Workington
  • Northside footbridge, Workington
  • Lorton, near Cockermouth
  • Newlands Beck bridge, near Keswick
  • Camerton footbridge
  • Suspension footbridge over River Eamont
 
*Source: Cumbria County Council

Cumbrian bridge safety checks begin

The Cumbrian council are beginning a programme of bridge inspection. They plan to inspect all 1800 bridges in Cumbria for safety and repair/rebuild all those that show signs of structural damage or failure.

Six bridges have already collapsed and officials believe Calva Bridge in Workington may be about to fall. In addition to the six that have already collapsed another six are closed.

The Highways Agency is to examine safety at bridges on most major trunk roads, while Department of Transport officials will work with the local authority on the remainder.

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency is to check the county's flood defences for damage. 

United Utilities says 40 waste treatment works which have been put out of action should be in service within three days. Tap water is safe to drink, the firm says.

Latest pictures of the Cumbria flooding aftermath

Pictures from the BBC of the aftermath in Cockermouth.


View the gallery here.