Approximately only 1 in 3 people are aware of their individual flood risk and an even smaller proportion of those actively prepare for flooding. Whether you're an individual, a business owner or a member of a community there are steps you can take to prepare and this section outlines them. The question is 'how prepared are you'?
Now you are aware of your flood risk, it’s sensible to explore what steps you can take to prepare for a flooding event. Whether you are a resident, a business, or a community, we have put together practical step-by-step guides that will help you to prepare for and recover from a flooding event.
All residents should be aware of the flood risk posed to his or her property. However, 67% of residents, a total of 220,000 residents in Leicester are unaware of their flood risk.
The major concern is those residents are unable to identify or address this risk because they cannot find the latest information or guidance. In response to this, Leicester City Council has compiled a step-by-step preparation checklist, which residents can use to become #floodprepared.
1. Check if your property is at risk of flooding by entering your postcode on the Environment Agencies online flood mapping service.
3. Check your insurance coverage – ensure your property is covered against flooding. Visit Flood Re to see the most competitive insurance providers.
4. Photograph your property and its contents NOW before any flood occurs.
Make sure you have the means to keep warm, food, flasks, etc.
1.) Resistance measures make your property more resistant to flooding.
2.) Resilience measures minimise damage and reduce recovery time.
Visit the Blue Pages for a list of certified and accredited PLR providers.
11. Both the Environment Agency and the National Flood Forum provide excellent sources of additional information.
Businesses are the economic backbone that brings prosperity, support, investment and a quality of life to Leicester. Flooding events can have hugely negative and costly impacts on businesses with damage to property, products, services.
On a larger scale, flooding of businesses can cause economic, social, and political consequences for the city of Leicester. Despite this, most businesses are unaware of the risks and this needs to be addressed.
By completing the step-by-step preparation checklist below, your business can reduce its flood risk and become #Floodprepared.
1. Check if your business is at risk of flooding by entering your postcode on Environment Agency online flood mapping service.
3. Purchase Business Insurance that covers against flooding or contact your provider to confirm your insurance policy covers against flooding.
4. Photography your business property and contents NOW before any flood occurs.
5. Learn how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
7. For businesses in flood zone 2, 3a & 3b consider the installation of Property Level Resilience (PLR) Measures. These measures make a business property more resistant to flooding and minimise the amount of damage and time it takes to restore your business back to its original state, should flooding occur. The Blue Pages provide a comprehensive catalogue of PLR providers.
8. Inform your insurer of any PLR measures installed as it may reduce your premium.
10. Visit the Environment Agency& National Flood Forum websites for further information.
However, in the past communities haven’t been encouraged adequately to manage themselves nor provided with the support and guidance from local authorities necessary, to prepare for flooding. By following our step-by-step guide below, communities can reduce their risk.
Each member of any community should be prepared for flooding before attending to the needs of the community. Please complete the resident checklist section before beginning this checklist.
3. Become a Flood Warden.
Flood Wardens provide aid and assistance before, during and after flooding events, volunteering their time to help reduce flood risk within their community whilst in partnership with Leicester City Council (LCC), the Environment Agency (EA) and LLR Prepared.
Considering becoming a Flood Warden?
4. Develop a Community Resilience Plan.
The Local Resilience Forum has secured £30,000 to provide incentives for completing community resilience plans. With each submitted and successfully tested Plan, the community will receive £500 to put towards tools and equipment to supplement the plan.
5. Develop a Community Flood Store.
18 June 2018 - 10:42 AM Really interesting stuff!
18 June 2018 - 1:35 PM Good point!
27 November 2017 - 4:33 PM I enjoyed reading through this! Very nicely put and all the material in one place!
20 June 2017 - 10:12 AM Read the home owners flood guide! It really helped me.
20 June 2017 - 10:10 AM Thanks, I do feel much more prepared!
20 June 2017 - 10:8 AM Thanks, I do feel much more prepared!