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.