Flooding Response

The three main drainage agencies, namely Northern Ireland Water, Rivers Agency and Roads Service co-operate with one another to provide a unified response to flooding emergencies. Download a public information flooding leaflet (193KB) for emergency telephone numbers of the three main drainage agencies and useful advice in the event of flooding.

Reducing Flooding Damage

The information below may enable you to reduce the impact of flooding on your home or business.

1. Keep a list of useful numbers to hand e.g. Flooding Emergency Telephone Numbers. of the three main drainage agencies, your local council, emergency services and your insurance company.
2. Make sure you know where to turn off your electricity and/or gas.
3. Make sure that you have current insurance to cover against flood damage to your property.
4. If you are aware that your property may be at risk of flooding, have a few sandbags or floorboards prepared to block doorways and airbricks.
5. Landowners can reduce the risk of flooding by ensuring that drains within their property are properly maintained.
6. The public should refrain from dumping any material into urban watercourses as this may lead to blockages and flooding.
7. Private gullies should be kept free from fallen leaves in Autumn as they can cause temporary blockages.
8. Think about your car. Is it parked in a location which is susceptible to flooding? Where could you move it to in the event of a flood?

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Health Precautions

Property Flooding

Flood waters can contain sewage which, if the flood has been caused by heavy rain, will usually be in dilute form. Providing that you adopt normal basic hygiene precautions you are unlikely to be at any increased health risk. Basic hygiene precautions should include:-

• Washing hands after exposure;
• Decontaminating footwear by washing and treating with a mild disinfectant;
• Keeping children and pets out of the contaminated area.

Where sewage is evident in flood waters or in material deposited by flood waters, decontamination should typically consist of:-

• Removing excess liquid (pumping/sweeping, as appropriate);
• A thorough clean up to remove any debris or faecal contamination;
• Leaving the contaminated areas to dry;
• Applying a mild disinfectant.

Industry test have shown that using this approach, disinfection should remove all traces of bacteria within 24 to 48 hours.

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Garden/External Flooding

It is not normal practice to apply disinfectant to gardens as this can kill plants. However, if this would give you extra reassurance then a very mild disinfectant can be applied. Do not hose down the garden as this will saturate the ground and prolong the life of bacteria. Do not dig over or rake the infected area as this will spread contamination further into the soilwhere lack of light will prolong the life of bacteria. Hard surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected. We suggest you keep off these areas for 3 hours after disinfection.

Tests have shown that it is best to let nature take its course as ultra violet radiation in sunlight is very effective at killing bacteria.

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Other Safeguards

Electricity

If any electricity circuit has been affected by flooding, a qualified electrician will need to check the safety of the system and of appliances. NIE (Northern Ireland Electricity) can be contacted to provide advice to customers on 08457 643643.

Insurance

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. They may offer advice regarding replacement or cleansing of damaged items.

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