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After a flood

What Southwark Council will do after a flood

We do our best to reduce flooding but if it does happen, we will:

  • Help restore the flooded area to normality
  • Provide support to those affected by flooding
  • Consider how we can prevent future flooding and reduce its impact
  • Work with government departments and partner agencies, hoping to secure funding and grants for those affected

What you can do after a flood

Contact your insurer as soon as possible after a flood. Make sure to take lots of photographs of the flood and the flood damage before any clean up takes place.

Clean up

  • Wear protective clothing such as wellies and rubber gloves before starting any clean up
  • Remove dirty water and silt from your property
  • If you have wooden floors you may have water under the floorboards which need pumping out - emergency services do not provide a pumping-out service, so you'll need to get pumps from hardware and DIY stores
  • If using a petrol or diesel pump, make sure the generator is outside and that doors and windows are closed - generators produce carbon monoxide fumes which can kill
  • Ventilate your property, open doors and windows - less damp means less damage
  • Don’t dispose of damaged goods until your insurers have had a chance to inspect them
  • Get more advice on clearing up after a flood

Stay healthy

  • Flood water can leave a muddy deposit containing bacteria but a thorough clean up reduces the health risk
  • If anyone becomes ill after accidentally swallowing flood water or mud, contact a doctor and tell them about the flooding
  • Follow the Food Standards Agency's advice on food safety after a flood

Don’t use gas and electricity straight away

  • Get your local electricity supply checked before switching it back on
  • For businesses, assess the risk to your staff and customers and consider closing the business until it has been checked
  • Do not use electrical equipment exposed to flood water until it has been checked by a qualified electrician
  • Do not use internal lifts until power is back to normal
  • Have your gas or oil central heating checked by a qualified person

Get help

  • Get professional advice (structural engineer) for repairs if your property is damaged
  • Report your flood to the relevant body to ensure they take action where necessary, and it is included in future decision making on projects that may be taken forward
  • Apply for any assistance provided by central government and/or Southwark Council - (contact us to find out more)
  • Consider Flood Re’s Build Back Better insurance scheme

Report a flood to us 

Page last updated: 14 June 2023

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