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Maidstone Borough Council 5 Flooding


One in six UK properties is at risk from flooding, and residents and business owners will remember the impact of the prolonged flooding in the borough over Christmas and New Year 2013-14. There are things that you can do to help protect yourself and your property.


Be prepared


z Find out if you’re at risk from river flooding by visiting www.environment- agency.gov.uk or calling the Agency’s Floodline on 0845 9881188.


z If you’re at risk, register by phone or online for the Agency’s free flood warning service.


z Check your insurance to confirm you’re covered, and for the right amount.


z Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water. If in doubt, consult your supplier.


z Prepare a household flood plan so that you know how to protect pets, cars, furniture and electrical equipment – you can download a template at www.environment- agency.gov.uk


z Prepare an emergency ‘grab bag’ to carry basic essentials with you.


z If you’re at risk, buy flood protection equipment in advance. Find out what options are available at www.floodforum.org.uk.


Sandbags


Sandbags provide some protection but are unlikely to prevent water entering property during severe flooding. We keep a stock of sandbags, but these are limited in number. We use them


to help protect key infrastructure identified by the emergency services, or as a barrier to divert water away from numbers of properties at a time. We will always help wherever we can, but there is no duty on the council to provide sandbags to communities, individual homes or businesses.


You are responsible for your own flood protection equipment, including sandbags. If you think sandbags will be useful for your home, you can buy them from builders merchants to store at home ready to react quickly if there’s a problem.


There’s a leaflet about sandbags, what they’re useful for and how to use them on our website at www.maidstone.gov.uk/winter, under “Flood Advice”.


Local Radio Stations BBC Radio Kent 96.7FM Heart 103.1FM KMFM 105.6FM


If flooding happens


z Tune into your local radio station or call Floodline for updates.


z Report property flooding or river blockages to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60.


z If it’s safe to do so, turn off the gas, electricity and water mains before water enters your home.


z Move your family and pets to a higher position with a means of escape. Remember to take your emergency ‘grab bag’.


z Don’t touch sources of electricity when standing in water.


z If there’s raw sewage in your property, keep out. See if you can stay elsewhere until it’s been properly cleaned.


z Never drive through flood water. Eighty percent of flood deaths occur in vehicles.


z Avoid walking in flood water. Fast moving water is dangerous and you will be unable to see hazards such as missing manhole covers.


After a flood


z Find out if it’s safe to return to your property by checking the media and with Maidstone council.


z Check falling river levels via Floodline and the Environment Agency website.


z Contact your insurance company as soon as possible and follow their advice.


z If you can get into your property, take photographs for evidence.


z Protect against contamination – always wear waterproof outerwear, wellingtons and gloves.


z Have your electricity supply checked before switching back on.


z Have your gas or oil central heating checked by a qualified person.


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