Thursday 16 February 2017

Who Will Be Your Family Flood Marshall?

Recent research has found that the 72% of us have no idea what to do in the event of a flood in our home. We don't understand what a flood alert is, don't have a personal flood plan, and only 18% of us know who is responsible for keeping our home safe from flooding.

My 8 year old has stepped up to the challenge to answer these questions and become our Family Flood Marshall.


Our home has never yet been in a flood, but some of my children's schoolfriends aren't so lucky. In December 2015 hurricanes Desmond and Eva caused 16,000 homes in the UK to be flooded. Many of those homes hadn't ever flooded in the past, and fairly close to us, a 200 year old pub was washed away. Nature likes to surprise us.

1. Are we in danger? The first thing the Family Flood Marshall needs to know, is if we are in danger of flooding. Listen to the radio, watch the news and weather reports, and if you feel you are at risk, you can always get the most up-to-date information available from the Environment Agency Flood Information Service or by calling Floodline 0345 988 1188.


2. What do the Flood Warning Triangles mean? A Family Flood Marshall needs to be able to decipher the Flood Warning Symbols. So, armed with merely paper, felt tipped pens and the entire knowledge of the world to date, our 8 year old Marshall searched the Internet....

Flood Alerts - Flooding Is Possible. Be Prepared.


Flood Warnings - Flooding Is Expected. Immediate Action Is Required.

Severe Flood Warnings - Severe Flooding. Danger To Life.


Warnings No Longer In Force.


Nicely covered there, I'm sure you'll agree....

3. What is a Personal Flood Plan? Every household should have a plan for emergencies, and all occupants should know what to do if there is a flood, fire or other unforseen disaster. Getting to safety is the no.1 priority. Life is always the most precious thing you have, no possession has any value to you without it.

The Personal Flood Plan is a collection of information that may be valuable in a flood, and ticklists of things you can do to minimise damage if you have time to do them safely before you evacuate your home.

Some things need to be prepared in advance, but you should start to implement your plan as soon as you know there is danger or when the 'Flood Alert - be prepared' orange warning triangle stage comes into force.


  • In advance find out where to get sandbags (builder's merchants) and identify where to use them on your property.
  • Prepare a Flood Kit - this should contain at minimum warm and waterproof clothes, phone, money, torch and batteries, medication, food and fresh drinking water, baby and infant essentials, toys for children, pet food.
  • Place important documents and valuables out of risk and protect in plastic bags. 
  • Identify which items you would have to take if you are evacuated, and how you are going to carry it.
  • Make a list of useful contacts (insurance company and policy number, keyholders, neighbours, utilities, council etc.).
  • Know the locations of stopcocks, fuse boxes and gas switch-off taps and turn them off when flooding is likely.
  • Move as much as possible out of the flood's path or make it safe to prevent more damage - including rolling up carpets and weighing down loose items.
Our Marshall found a free to download Personal Flood Plan form on the Environment Agency website, and the British Red Cross have a more extensive list of items you should pack into a Flood Kit if you are in danger of having to evacuate your home due to flooding.

Having gained all this knowledge, it's up to the Family Flood Marshall to share it, and answer that all important question - Who is responsible for protecting our homes from flooding?


Thank you to my sources: You can read more of the results from the UKDN Waterflow Flooding Survey here, or find out more about the December 2015 hurricanes Desmond and Eva from The BBC News




My son and I were paid for the time taken to create this post.

14 comments:

  1. Such an awesome video! You have a superstar there! Some fantastic points on how to prepare, just in case! I am hoping the fact I live on a hill will keep me safe for some time yet! Sim xx

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    1. Thank you! He did very well didn't he?! Certainly deserves his title :D
      I think a hill is definitely the best option as global warming gets underway too! :D

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  2. We live up a hill so the rain actually rushes down and floods the houses at the bottom. However my old boss had his house flooded when the water tank came through the ceiling. I think with more flood plains being built on the risk of flooding is only going to increase.

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    1. I think you are right - it's insane the amount of houses built on flood plain now, and it all raises the water table!

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  3. You're right, I'd ave no idea but then I am pretty sure I don't live in a flood risky area as we are uphill form the nearest water source. Your boy looks to have done an amazing job there getting ready for any eventuality. Mich x

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    1. Thank you - he did very well! We are actually fairly safe where we are, but I did feel daft I didn't know half the answers myself hahaha.

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  4. We've just moved house and there's a river a few meters from us but I had no idea what to do if it flooded - oops! Do say thanks to your son from me as I needed his training!

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    1. Thank you Kate = I will absolutely tell him - he'll be really pleased!

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  5. didnt realised this at all. we have not been affected by flood but this is a great source to download the form to get us ready. This is something i will get my children to do this weekend!

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    1. Thanks Eileen - it has to be useful for everyone really - we don't always stay in the same house forever! Fingers crossed your house stays safe.

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  6. I don't think we are at risk of a flood as our house is on higher ground. It is good to be aware of the risks though for sure - fabulous video!

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    1. Jenny @ The Brick Castle21 February 2017 at 12:07

      Thank you! I'll let him know you said so. Our house is quite high up - I guess we may not be here forever though :D

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  7. Our first home flooded the week after our buyers moved in. It was a horrible experiance for them and it broke my heart. I know that we are not in a flood zone where we live now.

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    1. Oh my gosh that's awful! The poor buyers. We really do never know, but what rotten luck for them!

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