UK Flood Report

We’ve used government data to find out which areas of the UK are most at risk from floods. We’ve looked at the areas with the highest percentage of properties with a flood risk higher than 1%

1. Kingston upon Hull – 16.8% of properties with a flood risk greater than 1%

Kingston upon Hull takes first place with almost 17% of its properties with a flood risk higher than 1%. The high risk in Hull is largely due to the Humber and the River Hull. These two bodies of water cause a flood risk of 1% and higher to over 24,000 properties.

2. North Lincolnshire – 13.9% of properties with a flood risk greater than 1%

North Lincolnshire takes second place with almost 14% of properties in this area with a flood risk greater than 1%. North Lincolnshire sits on the southern side of the Humber, which explains the high percentage of properties with a flood risk of 1% or more. However, the total number of properties is almost 10,000 less than in Kingston upon Hull.

3. Doncaster – 12.6% of properties with a flood risk greater than 1%

Doncaster completes our top three with 12.6% of properties having a flood risk of higher than 1%. Doncaster’s high percentage is most likely due to the River Don which flows through the city. The Yorkshire-based town also has Lakeside lake located in the centre which could also cause a risk of flooding. The total number of properties with a flood risk of greater than 1% is 21,000.

We’ve looked at the number of properties with a risk of more than 1% in 2018 and 2020 to calculate the increase or decrease in properties in each area.

1. Sefton – 31.58% increase in properties with a flood risk of 1% or higher

Sefton, takes first place with the number of properties with a flood risk of 1% or higher increasing by almost 32%. In 2020, Sefton had 325 properties with high flood risk, compared to just 247 in 2018.

2. Wirral – 17.25% increase in properties with a flood risk of 1% or higher

It’s a Merseyside top two, with Wirral taking second place. The number of properties with a flood risk of 1% or higher increased by 17%, rising from 487 in 2018 to 571 in 2020.

3. Blackpool – 10.87% increase in properties with a flood risk of 1% or higher

Blackpool completes our top three with a 10.87% increase in properties with a flood risk of 1% or higher. The number of properties in Blackpool with a flood risk of 1% or higher rose from 607 in 2018, to 673 in 2020.

Seeing that a flood is forecasted can be quite stressful, however, there are things you can do to prepare. Whether it’s your home or your business, we’ve got some expert tips to prepare your properties for a potential flood.

1. Move important documents and valuables upstairs

To avoid damage to any important business documents or sentimental items in your house, move them upstairs, or as high and away from the ground as possible. Sentimental items may not be replaceable, so keeping them safe will avoid a great deal of stress after the flood. While important documents can be replaced, it’s a stressful process, which you don’t want to have to go through after a flood.

2. Take photos of your property before the flood

Taking photos of your property and its contents before the flood can help with any insurance claims after. Floods can cause a huge amount of damage to both the structure of the property and the items within. Therefore, you may be entitled to a claim with your insurance company. To ensure you get the money to make the necessary repairs, having evidence of the damage will help this process.

3. Contact your insurers

Getting in touch with your insurers before a flood takes place can be really helpful. They can offer additional advice on your current policy, and how to make sure your insurance stays valid in the event of a flood. It can also alert them in case you need to make a claim after the flood.

4. Weigh down any furniture

Not everything can be moved upstairs easily or conveniently. Things like sofas and refrigerators will be extremely difficult to move upstairs. Although they might be too heavy for you to lift, they can potentially float in a flood. This can cause damage to the windows or walls and make for an even longer list of repairs.

5. Unplug electrical equipment

To keep your electrical items safe and sound, you should unplug them prior to a potential flood. Water is a conductor of electricity, and if water gets onto your sockets, it could cause an electrical fire. They could also break which means you may not be able to power or charge any devices. It’s also a good idea to move any electronics, such as computers or televisions, upstairs, and turn off the gas and electricity.

6. Written flood plan

One of the main things recommended by the Government for businesses is to create a written flood plan. A written flood plan is an easily accessible list of instructions that can guide you in the event of a flood. Within a business flood plan, you should include a list of important contacts, including your insurance company, floodline, and suppliers, a map showcasing shutoff points, as well as a checklist of things to do in the event of a flood. Within your flood plan, you should also include a recovery plan for after the flood occurs.

We hope you never have to experience a flood, but unfortunately, they happen, and knowing what to do can help you in that situation. Here is our expert advice in case you are affected.

1. Ring your insurance company

Getting in contact with your insurance company is always the best place to start. If your insurance policy covers you for floods, then you can make a claim and get financial aid to help you repair the damage caused. This is where our advice of taking photographs of your property before the flood can help you.

2. Ring the council

The council can also offer you financial help in the event of a flood. Your local council will have emergency payment schemes to help make your home or office habitable as quickly as possible, and householders could receive up to £1,000. This is not a compensation payment, however, it is to help you pay for any urgent repairs that may be required.

3. Stay in a high place where you can escape

You may need to evacuate your home in the event of a flood. As tough as it may be to leave your home in a crisis, it may be the safest option for you, your family, or your employees. Staying upstairs or in a high place will keep you safe at the beginning, but depending on the level of the flood, escaping may be your best option. If you are in danger, then please call 999.

4. Wash your hands

Water from floods can be dangerous, and filled with bacteria. Therefore, washing your hands after coming into contact with flood water is important. It’s also vital that you cover any cuts or sores on your body as they could become infected. You should also give your house a deep clean too, using disinfectant to kill any bacteria; this is particularly crucial for areas where you store or prepare food.

5. Communicate with your employees

As the business owner, you’re responsible for sorting out the damages and dealing with the aftermath of the flood. However, this does not mean you are alone, your employees will also be sharing the stresses you are faced with, and in some extreme cases, may be worried about their job security. Communicating with your employees will not only put their minds at ease but also help you understand that you are not alone in the process.

We used the National Audit Office to find the areas most at risk from a flood. The thresholds used are inclusive, therefore the number of properties with a flood risk of >0.1% also includes the number of properties with a flood risk of >1%.