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
Page last updated: 14 June 2023
