What to do after flooding: safety and recovery tips from Central Bedfordshire Council

Safety and recovery tips - practical steps you can take

Experiencing a flood can be overwhelming, but following these steps will help you navigate the recovery process and protect your safety

Ensure safety before returning to your property

Before entering your property, confirm with emergency services that it is safe to return. Floodwaters can hide dangers like contaminated water, structural issues, or electrical hazards. Contact a qualified electrician or gas engineer to check the safety of electricity and gas before use. You should also contact your water provider if sewage flooding has occurred in your property. If you're unsure who your water provider is, check the Water UK website.

Contact your insurance company

Get in touch with your insurer as soon as possible to report the flood and follow their advice. Most insurers have a 24-hour helpline. Do not throw away damaged goods until your insurer has authorised you to do so. If you're renting, inform your landlord immediately and contact your contents insurance provider to discuss the next steps.

Handle property clean-up safely

When cleaning your property, always wear protective gloves and clothing, especially when handling any remaining floodwater or items that have come into contact with it. Use masks as necessary and follow guidelines from local authorities and waste management services when disposing of damaged items.

AMYA UK, one of the charities supporting our communities during emergencies, is available to assist with tasks such as cleaning, moving heavy items, or providing general support. AMYA UK is one of the UK’s largest Muslim youth organisations, with volunteers across the UK dedicated to supporting relief efforts. They work as part of our BLEVEC Emergency Response Teams. To request their help, call the CBC Flood Helpline at 0300 300 8500, and we will coordinate with AMYA UK to pass on your request.

Record and manage damage

Take detailed photographs or videos of all damage and create an inventory of affected belongings. Document all communications with your insurance company, repair professionals, and disposal actions.

Dispose of contaminated food

Dispose of any food that has been in contact with floodwater, including tinned, defrosted, and packaged goods.

Ventilate your property

Once it is safe to enter, ventilate your property to help dry it out, but keep security in mind during this process.

Watch for fraudulent contractors

During challenging times, unscrupulous builders and traders may offer their services. Ensure that any contractor provides a written quotation on letter-headed paper with a landline contact number and address. You can find a tradesperson endorsed through the UK government’s TrustMark quality scheme or Buy with Confidence, which is operated by local authority Trading Standards services. Gas engineers must be registered with Gas Safe to complete any work required. You can verify if an engineer is registered at the Gas Safe Register.

We are unable to offer grants for properties damaged by flooding or for property-level resilience measures. However, advice on property resilience is available on our website and from agencies such as the National Flood Forum.

The National Flood Forum offers more in-depth information on flood recovery, including safety, waste disposal, and dealing with insurers.