Flooding advice

The Natural Resources Wales website has flood guidance for homes, businesses, farms, schools and communities and a 5-day flood forecast. 

If you’re concerned your property could be flooded, take the following steps:   

Make sure you are prepared 

• Check the flood risk in your area and sign up for flood warnings here
• Check your insurance documents are up to date and that you are adequately covered in the event of a flood
• Try and store valuables, important documents and items of sentimental value in a high cupboard or upstairs 
• Make sure you know where and how to turn off your gas, electric and water supplies
• Consider purchasing sandbags or flood boards to direct water away from your property if flood risk is high in your area

Sandbags 

There is no statutory requirement for local authorities to provide sandbags, however we will assist where we can on a priority basis.  

You can purchase bags that can be filled with sand. 

If you receive a flood warning 

• Move valuables upstairs, check pets and move them to safety. If you can, move any vehicles to higher ground and any other items to safety
• Alert your neighbours
• If you have sandbags or flood boards put them in place
• Be prepared to turn off gas and electricity supplies
• If flooding is likely to occur after darkness, carry out preparations while you still have daylight

Floodwater safety

• Floods can kill. Don't walk or drive through floodwater.  Even very shallow fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car
• Floodwater is often contaminated with chemicals and sewage so avoid contact as much as possible and seek medical advice if you have been in contact with flood water
• Never try to swim through floodwater. Not only might the water be contaminated but you could get swept away or struck by floating or unseen objects in the water

Cleaning up 

• Contact your insurance company's emergency helpline and take advice on what you should do
• When it's safe, ventilate your house by opening doors and windows but be mindful of security
• Contact your gas, electric and water companies so that supplies can be tested before you turn them back on
• Always take advice from your insurance company and find out what you should do next.  They will normally send a loss adjuster to assess any damage to the property and its contents

For more information, contact the Emergency Management team on civilcontingencies@torfaen.gov.uk