Flash Flooding

Flash flooding

Did you know that one in six properties in England and Wales will be affected by flooding in the future? Read this guide for steps you can take to protect your premises.

Download

What is flash flooding?

Flooding takes two forms:

Fluvial – from overflowing natural watercourses
Pluvial – from surface water run-off (SWRO) after rain

This second, increasingly more common, form of flooding, Pluvial, is also known as flash flooding.

Flash flooding is on the increase due to prolonged periods of wet weather caused by climate change and the growth of development of land on flood plains. The latter can result in reduced land drainage capacity and quicker build of up surface water which cannot drain away quick enough.

Are you at risk of flash flooding?

Flash flooding can happen miles away from established watercourses and can occur when there is no history of previous flooding problems. So, it is hard to predict if you are at risk.

What can you do to try to predict the risk?

Complete a flood assessment of your site to determine the risk of fluvial and pluvial flooding. The Government’s Environment Agency has published helpful advice on how to do this
You can check whether your premises are low, medium, or high risk via this government tool
You can also get alerts of potential fluvial flooding in your area

How do you manage the risk of flash flooding?

Use the Government’s advice (mention above to create a flood plan. The plan should include:

Details of key contacts in the event of a flood
A site plan showing the location of service cut off points so these can be easily isolated
Vulnerable property and high-risk areas
Clearly detailed evacuation procedures
Key contacts including the emergency services, your insurance company, electricians, Gas Safe registered contractors, security providers and plumbers

Regular inspection of drainage systems on your and neighbouring premises
Contact your local council to check drains on surrounding roads are being inspected and cleared as required
Inspect and maintain guttering at least once a year
Specify suitable continuity arrangements to support the recovery of your organisation if flooding does occur
Implementation and regular inspection of any flood defence products implements as part of the plan

Preventing damage from flash flooding

There are a number of flood resistance measures that you can implement including:

Flood barriers
Sandbags
Airbrick covers
Non-return valves on drainage systems

If it is inevitable that water might get in, you should move valuable property above ground floor level.

Example building measures

Fit horizontal plasterboard or lime based plaster instead of gypsum
Introduce drainage systems within cavity walls
Use tile flooring instead of carpets
Use built in units manufactured using stainless steel, plastic, or solid wood rather than chipboard
Locate appliances on plinths raised off the floor

Raise the height of damp proof coursing
Raise electrical sockets and boxes to at least 1.5 metres above floor level
Raise the height of door sills
Introduction of suction pumps in lower ground areas
Locate critical infrastructure/plant away from flood prone areas

Flash flooding risk management

What else might you be interested in?

Food safety

Food poisoning and allergic reactions can occur where poor practices have been adopted.

Find out more

Ladder safety

There is no ban on the use of ladders in premises and they can offer a practical option for low risk tasks.

Find out more

Legionellosis prevention

Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria including the most serious legionnaires' disease.

Find out more