Households in the UK are being told to prepare for a potentially destructive winter of storms and heavy rain, which could leave millions of homes at risk of flooding. This follows summer heatwaves and is attributed to the accelerating climate crisis and this year’s record-breaking El Niño.
With the UK’s flood season weeks away, experts have suggested actions for communities and individuals to make homes more resilient. These include checking if a home is listed at risk of flooding on the government’s website and signing up for local council and Environment Agency flood alerts.
Tracey Garrett, chief executive of the National Flood Forum, stated that flooding can be “incredibly frightening and disruptive” but believes communities, households, and councils can improve an area’s resilience. She noted that increasingly intense rainfall and a growing risk from surface water flooding mean past flooding patterns may not predict future ones, making preparation more important.
Mary Long-Dhonau, who runs the Flood Mary campaign, advises starting home protection outdoors. She suggests checking and repairing brickwork and mortar for cracks, treating external walls with a breathable waterproof sealant, and ensuring gutters are clear. Installing water butts is also recommended to store rainwater before it reaches the ground.
For homes, experts advise having a “flood to-do list” and a “flood box” with essentials. They also warn that standard airbricks can let in thousands of litres of water per hour, suggesting replacement with self-closing airbricks or using temporary covers. Flood tape or aluminium tape can be used to seal airbricks, doors, and windows in an emergency.
To prevent wastewater and sewage from backing up, fitting a non-return valve to the drainage system is ideal for flood-risk properties. Alternatively, toilet bungs and stoppers are available, or a deflated child’s football can be used in an emergency.