
Flooding
Flooding
Get Prepared
- Make sure you have adequate insurance which covers flooding.
- Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supply.
- Prepare a flood kit of essential items such as a torch and first aid kit.
- Consider how to protect your home: if you are able, buy sandbags and other flood protection products.
- Report to your local authority any concerns you have about the nearby river/stream that may cause flooding.
Take Action
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Use the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) floodline 0845 988 1188 for latest information or visit www.sepa.org.uk or tune in to your local radio station.
- Call emergency services if you are concerned about your safety or the safety of others, and act immediately on advise provided.
- Store portable valuable & important items upstairs or in a high place.
- Move pets, vehicles and other valuables to safety, when it is safe to do so.
- Alert your neighbours particularly the elderly and vulnerable.
- Put sandbags and other flood protection measures in place but do not block any safety vents.
- Makeshift sandbags can be made from bin bags, carrier bags or pillow cases filled with soil.
- Put the plug in sinks and baths (including overflow) and a sandbag in the toilet bowl to prevent sewage from flowing back up.
- Turn off the gas, electricity and water. Unplug electrical items and move upstairs, if possible.
- Be aware of hazards below flood water; eg displaced manhole covers.
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Get up-to-date travel information from Traffic Scotland 0800 028 1414 or visit www.trafficscotland.org
After flood waters have receded
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Check with Scottish Water before turning water supplies back on. Call 0845 601 8855 or visit www.scottishwater.co.uk
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Contact the Scottish Flood Forum for further advice and help on dealing with the effects of the floods. Call 01738 448 411 or visit www.scottishfloodforum.org
- Wear protective clothing (rubber gloves/ wellies) when cleaning up. Watch out for nails and broken glass.
- Open doors and windows to ventilate the house.
- Contact your gas and electricity companies and have your supplies checked before turning them on.
- Make a record of flood damage, take photographs and videos. Call your insurance company as soon as possible.
Useful Numbers
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Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Floodline
0845 988 1188
www.sepa.org.uk/flooding/flood_map.aspx -
Scottish Borders Council (temporary accommodation)
01835 824000 -
Traffic Scotland
0800 028 1414
www.trafficscotland.org
Emergency Flood Kit Grab Bag
Suggested content
- Water carrier/ bottled water
- Light sticks/ torch & batteries
- Wind-up radio
- Toilet roll
- Whistle & first aid kit
- Money/ bank card
- Rubber gloves
- Camera
- Analog telephone