Flood warning: what to do (UK)
The UK uses three levels of flood message. Knowing which one you've received tells you how fast to act. This is the checklist from the book's flood quick card.
The short answer
Flood alert: flooding is possible, get ready. Flood warning: flooding is expected, act now. Severe flood warning: danger to life, act immediately. Move people, pets and important things upstairs, turn off gas, electricity and water if it is safe, and never walk or drive through flood water. Floodline: 0345 988 1188.
When a warning arrives
- Move family, pets and important items upstairs or to higher ground.
- Put any flood protection in place.
- Turn off gas, electricity and water at the mains, if it is safe to do so.
- Get your flood plan, insurance documents, medicines and grab bag ready.
- Be ready to leave if you are asked to.
During and after
- Flood alert: flooding is possible, get ready. Flood warning: flooding is expected, act now. Severe flood warning: danger to life, act immediately.
- Severe flood warning: stay somewhere safe, be ready to evacuate and follow the emergency services.
- If you are asked to leave, leave. Delay puts lives at risk.
- Move cars to higher ground only if you can do so without danger.
- Afterwards, call your insurer before you throw anything away, and photograph the damage and the water line on the walls.
- Do not switch the water, gas or electricity back on yourself: have them checked first.
- Treat everything the water touched as dirty. Wear gloves and wellies, keep children and pets away, and wash your hands with warm soapy water.
- Throw away food that has touched flood water. If your tap water looks, tastes or smells different, do not use it and contact your water company.
Never
- Never walk, cycle or drive through flood water. Just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float a car. If you meet a flooded road, turn round.
- Never touch an electrical switch while standing in water.
- Do not risk yourself to move a car or belongings.
- Never put yourself in danger to rescue an animal.
Who to call
- 0345 988 1188 Floodline (England, Wales, Scotland, 24 hours)
- 0345 602 6340 Floodline textphone
- 0800 80 70 60 Severe river or coastal flooding (Environment Agency, England, 24 hours)
- 0300 2000 100 Flooding Incident Line (Northern Ireland, not an emergency line)
- 105 Damaged electricity supply
- 0800 111 999 Gas leak (National Gas)
- 999 Immediate danger
Sign up for free flood warnings for your area: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a flood alert and a flood warning?
A flood alert means flooding is possible: get ready. A flood warning means flooding is expected: act now. A severe flood warning means danger to life: act immediately and follow the emergency services.
What is the Floodline number?
Floodline is 0345 988 1188 (England, Wales and Scotland, 24 hours). In Northern Ireland, the Flooding Incident Line is 0300 2000 100.
How deep does water have to be to float a car?
Just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float a car. Never drive, cycle or walk through flood water: if you meet a flooded road, turn round.
What should I do after a flood?
Call your insurer before throwing anything away, photograph the damage and the water line, and have gas, electricity and water checked before switching them back on. Treat everything the water touched as dirty.
Official sources
Checked against these official pages in October 2026. Advice and phone numbers can change, so the official page always has the final word.