1.Get a bag ready with medicines, insurance and other important documents.
Check flood warnings for updates.
Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.
Be ready to follow your flood plan.
2.Move household members, pets and belongings to safety.
Turn off gas, water and electricity.
3.Call 999 if in immediate danger.
Follow advice from the emergency services.
Check your route before you travel. Roads can quickly become flooded and impassable.
Allow plenty of time for journeys.
Leave more space than normal between you and the car in front.
Don’t attempt to drive through flood water – just 30 centimetres is enough to float a car.
Flood water can mask hazards and obstacles, so take extra care on the roads.
If in doubt, find another route.
Flooded Road in Sheffield – Credit: Jeremy Dyson
No single organisation manages flood risk in the UK. Local authorities, the emergency services, the Environment Agency and utility companies all share the responsibility.
If there’s a risk to people or property, call 999 immediately.
For flooding from larger rivers and streams (known as main rivers), call the Environment Agency incident hotline 24 hours a day on 0800 80 70 60.
For flooding from other rivers and streams that are not designated as main rivers, contact your local authority. For surface water flooding also contact your local authority.
Report sewer flooding to your water company: Yorkshire Water or Severn Trent Water.
Report canal flooding to The Canal and Rivers Trust.
Internal Drainage Boards are local public authorities who manage water levels and reduce the risk from flooding within their districts. There are three in South Yorkshire: Danvm Drainage Commissioners, Black Drain Drainage Board and Doncaster East IDB.
Find out more about the different types of flooding in South Yorkshire. And read more details from the National Flood Forum on who’s responsible for what.