During a flood

The Gov.uk website provides advice on how to report a flood depending on what caused the flooding.

Get the latest information about flooding in your area from the Flood Information Service or contact Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for advice during a flood.

What you should do

Flood water can rise quickly, always focus on the safety of you and your family before your property and be prepared to act quickly. In the event of an emergency or severe flooding, follow these steps to stay safe:

• Follow advice from emergency services – especially if you are asked to evacuate your home.
• Take key contact numbers with you - If you have to evacuate your home, it's useful to have a mobile phone, charger and key contact numbers with you to contact your insurance company, traders, check the weather and stay in touch with family & friends.
• Move family, pets and important items upstairs - or to a high place with a means of escape.
• Keep important items and documents upstairs or somewhere high and safe.
• Keep children and vulnerable people away from flood water.
• Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies - if flood water is about to enter your home. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.
• Check on elderly neighbours - and relatives to make sure they are safe.
• Don’t walk through flood water - If you have to enter flood water move slowly and carefully and wear strong footwear.
• If you have to drive – Take extra care in built up areas, drive slowly so you don’t create a bow wave in front of the vehicle – this can cause flood damage to properties.  
• Don't ignore road closure signs - they are there for a reason and for your safety.
• Never drive through flowing water that is more than 10cm deep - If you are unsure of the depth – the edge of the kerb is a good indicator. Don't assume a ford is always safe to cross - be aware of the risks.
• Evacuation - In some cases seeking refuge from flood water upstairs would be unsafe and you may need to evacuate the area. If you do need to evacuate the area you will be informed by officials knocking on your door or by local radio or television stations.

Our role during a flood

We always monitor the weather and have flooding and severe weather emergency plans in place so we are prepared to act quickly when severe weather warnings are issued.

As part of our role as a Lead Local Flood Authority, we have produced a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy which explains how we manage local flood risk in Lancashire.

When it floods, the emergency services lead the response. We work with the police, fire and rescue service, the NHS, district councils, the environment agency and other partners to:

• Evacuate people from flooded areas.
• Identify vulnerable people and make sure they are safe.
• Close flooded roads and bridges and put diversions in place.
• Clear blocked drains on the roads.
• Support communities to respond quickly.
• Provide regular communications and updates on the situation.

If you live near a reservoir...

During a flood the emergency services may tell you to go to a temporary evacuation point where you will be picked up to be taken on to a designated evacuation centre.

The emergency services will tell you the best route to the evacuation centre or temporary evacuation point depending on the circumstances of the emergency, so please follow their directions.

There are a number of designated evacuation centres in Lancashire. People running evacuation centres are trained to give you support and advice. They will help you through the stress of an emergency and prepare you for what to do afterwards.