Dealing with floods - the aftermath

Evacuation

Make sure you have an evacuation plan for your building. You should practice this in the same way you would practice a fire drill.

You should examine the flood maps for your area to work out safe routes in and out of your building where roads should stay open.

Identify safe areas where staff can shelter during a flood.

After a flood

Insurance:

Contact your insurance company quickly, and provide them with information about the extent of the damage. Photographs can help prepare a plan for repairs.

Cleaning up

Flood waters can carry a number of potentially harmful materials, such as oil, sewage, chemicals and agricultural wastes. You should take care when cleaning up and protect staff against any risks.

Damaged goods and materials

Make sure any materials that are to be disposed of as waste are dealt with by a registered waste contractor. Some materials may be contaminated and may be classed as hazardous/special waste.

Duty of care for waste

Managing hazardous/special waste

New buildings in flood prone areas

Construct new buildings, or refurbish flood damaged buildings taking into account how design features can protect your business in the future.

GOV.UK: Flood resilient construction of new buildings

Further information

NI Direct: Flooding in your area

Rivers Agency Northern Ireland

SEPA: Flooding - Guidance for regulated sites

Scottish Flood Forum

SEPA: Floodline website