A small business guide to preparing for autumn flooding

How can businesses prepare for autumn flooding?

Understand your risk and and sign up for warnings

Start by checking your flood risk by using the Government’s Long-Term Flood Risk Service. It is a helpful tool for businesses to know where they are with their flood risk as it covers flooding from rivers, the sea, surface water, reservoirs and groundwater. In Northern Ireland, DfI Rivers flood maps give information on areas that are prone to flooding while businesses in Scotland can use SEPA,and Wales – Natural Resources Wales. 

 It’s important to remember that an area that has never flooded before isn’t automatically safe, so check even if your business premises have stayed dry in the past.

It’s also helpful to sign up for free flood warnings by phone, text or email. If warnings are not available in your area, Floodline (0345 988 1188) is open 24/7 for local information.

Write a business flood plan

Preparing for autumn flooding before it happens is one of the best ways to protect your business. Your plan should set out how you will respond when flooding is forecast, who you will call (Floodline, your local authority and your insurer) and what you’ve agreed in advance with suppliers and clients.

Ideally, your business flood plan will also include an alternative workspace, so your business is not out of action when flooding happens. Staff training on flood safety should also be part of your business contingency plan so everyone knows what to do and can act fast.

Protect your premises, stock and equipment

A few simple changes now can significantly limit the damage if floodwater reaches your premises. Wherever possible, store valuable equipment, important documents and stock above potential flood levels. If your business is in a higher-risk area, consider whether electrical sockets and other vulnerable equipment could be relocated.

Flood protection products such as sandbags or barriers will come in handy too as they can help keep water out and protect your equipment. Keep them somewhere easy to reach, so when the flood warnings come, you can prepare quickly.

Know your utilities

Make sure you and your staff know how to shut off your gas, electricity and water supplies in the event of a flood. These details should be a part of your flood plan, along with your utility providers’ contact numbers.

After a flood, electrical, gas and water systems may need to be checked before they can be used safely again. It’s worth allowing for this potential downtime in your business continuity plans.

Check your flood insurance

Before heavy rainfall arrives, take another look at your business insurance and ensure you know what your policy covers. Flood damage isn’t always included as standard, so check your buildings, contents (including stock) and business interruption cover, which covers running costs and losses such as salaries or lost profit.

Small businesses can suffer the most from flood damage, as in some cases flood cover is unavailable or very expensive. Additionally, the Flood Re scheme that helps households does not cover businesses, making it harder to find cover. In this case, it’s especially important to plan ahead for floods and speak to an insurance broker on options available.

Be ready before the water rises

While flooding can’t always be prevented, every business can put a clear plan in place so that a bad day doesn’t do lasting damage. 

And while it’s true that floods can be unpredictable, your water supply doesn’t need to be. At Everflow, as one of the UK’s business water suppliers, we can help you compare business water prices, prepare for floods and ensure your business stays on top of its water supply, whatever the weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if my business is at risk of flooding?

Start with the government’s free long-term flood risk checker. Enter your postcode and it shows the risk of flooding from rivers, the sea, surface water, reservoirs and groundwater (where data is available). Use DfI Rivers for Northern Ireland, SEPA for Scotland and Natural Resources Wales for Wales. You can also sign up for free flood warnings so you get alerts by phone, text or email before water arrives. 

Does business insurance cover flooding?

Not automatically. Flood cover depends on your policy, so check if flood damage is included, limited or excluded. Also check that you’re covered for business interruption and lost revenue, as the Environment Agency’s business flood plan checklists advise. The government-backed Flood Re scheme, which keeps flood cover affordable for homeowners, doesn’t cover commercial properties. That leaves businesses to arrange to cover themselves with their broker or insurer. If you’re in a higher-risk area, speak to them well before the wetter months. 

What should a business flood plan include?

A written plan, stored somewhere safe and accessible, should cover the following, based on the Environment Agency’s checklist: 

• Trigger points for action, such as water in the car park, and what happens at each one.
• Emergency routes and evacuation points, plus shut-off points for gas, electricity and water.
• Protection for special items, such as hazardous or refrigerated materials.
• Data and documents, moved or backed up so customer and staff records are safe.
• People: out-of-hours emergency contacts, staff who may need assistance, and a named person or team in charge of the response.
• Key contacts: utilities, suppliers, building services and your insurer.