Flooding
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) is
Scotland's flood warning authority. They operate flood warning
services in partnership with local authorities and the police. This
includes Floodline; a 24 hour telephone information service (0845
9881188) covering all of Scotland, through the monitoring of river
levels, rainfall, tidal predictions and weather forecasts.
To find out more how to protect your home or business from
flooding, please have a look at the SEPA website or read the
following documents:
If Your Home Becomes Flooded
- Move all portable, prized possessions such as photographs and
valuables upstairs in plastic bags or on top of heavy furniture. If
you are infirm or elderly, ask for help from friends or
neighbours.
- Gather important documents such as insurance policies, bank
account papers, birth and marriage certificates, passports, rent
book, vet certificates and driving licence and keep them safe and
available in case you are evacuated.
- Move food upstairs.
- Pack a selection of warm, dry clothing and other essentials
such as medication and spectacles.
- Move external items such as dustbins and garden furniture to
safer locations.
- Move your car to higher ground if you do not intend to evacuate
your property.
- If you have left it too late, pillowcases filled with soil can
be used as makeshift sandbags.
- If flooding is likely and you are using sandbags or other means
to protect your property, remember to protect airbricks also.
- Place plugs into sinks and basins and weigh them down to
prevent surcharge into the sink.
- Lower toilet lids and place weights on them also.
- Raise heavy electrical items such as fridges, freezers, washing
machines on bricks.
- Roll up carpets and rugs if possible and move them upstairs.
Curtains should also be removed if necessary.
- Furniture that is too heavy to carry upstairs should be moved
away from walls as this will speed up drying times if flooded.
- Disconnect washing machines and dishwashers to prevent
backflow.
- Turn off gas, electricity and water at the mains.
- Stay in your home if you can - move upstairs unless clearly
unsafe to do so.
Check out the Scottish Water
website for advice on keeping your home safe from
floods.
