One Delta responds to flood warnings

Check the flooding risk in your area, The Environment Agency has a map that should help but even if you are not on it, prepare for the worst.

Always keep important documents, phone numbers and other important information in a safe place and easily accessible, especially insurance documents.

If you are flooded, remember to take plenty of photographs.

Make sure you know how to turn the electricity, gas and water mains off.

Move as much of your belongings upstairs out of reach of any potential flooding.

Flooding can often cause sewage water to rise up but never handle anything that's been in flood water as there is a serious risk of disease.

Soiled water can often be forced up through lavatories so use toilet seals, especially in downstairs toilets to prevent flooding in that way.

Don't neglect air vents and airbricks.

If you have secured the doors and windows against flooding, air vents will still allow the water in.

Prepare a flood kit including a torch, warm clothes and first aid kit.

Don't forget plenty of drinking water as tap water is not safe to drink during floods.

A water purifier could also be important.

Don't rely on the local council to provide flood prevention equipment such as sandbags as they may not have enough to hand.

Remember to fill sandbags correctly; incorrectly filled and they will not defend against water.

Consider Instant Sandbags, they inflate in water, don't require sand but act in exactly the same way as a conventional sandbags.

Instant Sandbags can be stored flat and are ready to use when needed.