The Environment Agency is calling for vigilance amid an ongoing flood risk (Image: Getty)
Households across the UK are being urged to be vigilant and prepare to turn off their gas, electricity and water supplies amid an ongoing flood risk.
The Environment Agency (EA) has warned there is still a risk of significant flooding in the wake of Storm Chandra which swept the country last week, with multiple red flood warnings and amber flood alerts currently in force. The EA said water levels remain high in Dorset and Wiltshire, and it estimates that 238 properties have been recorded as flooded, while more than 16,200 have been protected by defences. The ongoing flood alerts coincide with a yellow weather warning for rain issued by the Met Office for parts of London, South East England and South West England on Tuesday, with heavy and persistent rainfall posing a risk of flooding to homes and businesses, as well as possible power cuts.
The Met Office said: “Rain will persist across the warning area through much of Tuesday, before gradually clearing to the north later in the day. A further 5-15 mm of rain may accumulate quite widely, and given the saturated ground, this may lead to some further flooding and disruption in places, or slow any recovery from flooding in recent days”
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With more unsettled weather on the way this week, including snow and ice in some parts of the UK, drastic advice has been given by the EA and the Met Office on how to prepare for the worst in the event of flooding, with homes told to turn off their gas, water and electricity supplies to protect their property.
The EA said: “If your area has a flood warning (when flooding is expected) or severe flood warning (when there’s a danger to life):
- turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies, if it’s safe to do so – do not touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water
- move your family, vehicles, pets and important items to safety, for example upstairs or to higher ground
- if you have them, use flood protection products, for example flood barriers or air brick covers
- follow advice from your local council or the emergency services – you may be asked to evacuate.”
You should only switch off your gas, water and electricity supplies if it is safe to do so and be sure that you don’t touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water.
Your water stop tap will usually be found inside your home where your water supply comes in, or outside close to your property’s boundary under a cover, your gas shut-off valve next to your gas meter, and your mains electricity cut off on your fuse board with a big on and off switch.
The National Grid says: “If flood water is about to enter your property, turn off your electricity supply using the isolator switch or fuse unit. Only attempt this if it’s safe to do so, and never take any unnecessary risks. You can speak to your insurer or a qualified electrician if you need further advice. Your meter could be inside your property or outside in a dedicated meter cabinet.
“Never touch any electrical appliances, cables, or equipment while standing in floodwater. Please don’t touch any appliances, cables, or equipment that has been touched by floodwater, as they may not be safe.”
Listed are 76 areas where a red flood warning is currently in force:
Avon Valley: Amesbury to North of Salisbury
Bere Stream: General area and specifically at Bere Regis
Bourne Valley: The Winterbournes
Cranborne Chase (West Hampshire): Damerham, Martin, and Rockbourne
South Wiltshire Downs: Chilmark, The Dene, and The Teffont
Winterborne Valleys: North Winterborne (North and South of A354) and South Winterbourne Valley
Wylye Valley: General area, Warminster, and Wilton
Other Specific Localities: Crane, Crichel, Devils Brook, Ebble Valley, Gussage, Hooke, Iwerne, Piddle Valley, Pimperne Brook, Sydling, Tarrant Valley, Till, Cerne Valley, Chitterne Valley, and Lower Allen Vale.
River & Surface Water Flooding
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Avon & Stour: Lower Avon (Ringwood to Christchurch), Middle Hampshire Avon (Salisbury areas including City Centre, The Close, and Britford), Lower Stour (Redhill and Sturminster Marshall to Christchurch).
Frome & Piddle: Lower Frome (Dorchester to Wareham), River Piddle (Alton Pancras to Wareham).
Isle of Wight: Blackwater and Newport (River Medina), Carisbrooke and Hunny Hill (Lukely Brook), Sandown, Brading, Bembridge, Whitwell, and Wroxall (Eastern Yar), Monktonmead Brook.
Coastal & Tidal: Christchurch Harbour Side, Eastoke, Poole Harbour (West Quay), Portland Harbour, Plymouth Sound, South Cornwall Coast, Tidal Fal Estuary, North Sea Coast (Scarborough, Bridlington, Hornsea).
Somerset: A361 East Lyng to Burrowbridge, Curry Moor, Hay Moor, Salt Moor, North Moor, River Parrett (Langport), River Yeo and Parrett Moors (Muchelney).
Other Rivers: River Meon (Titchfield and Wickham), River Hamble (Waltham Chase/Botley), River Arun (Pulborough), Western River Rother (Fittleworth), River Nene (Peterborough), River Derwent (Buttercrambe Mill).
The eight UK areas covered by a Met Office yellow weather warning for rain, where flooding is possible, are:
London & South East England
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