UK Flood Risks

[NorthernRaider]

I think i put and article in my book on prepping about upgrades and precautions and planning for flood prevention.

---

Just checked, I did leave the bit on flooding in the 2012 version, its below


FLOOD PROTECTION


Not all of us can afford to move home to locations that are the most beneficial to survivalists, many of us have to compromise over one or more preferred attributes.

While in many cases we can move within a given area to locations that are more rural, more secure, more remote, more defendable, more sustainable etc, but very often because of work or family or other commitments we are unable to move more than a short distance. One problem that can occur is that because of these restrictions you are unable to move to ground high enough to avoid the risk from flooding.

Of course if you are planning on moving to a property on higher ground it is generally accepted that you buy a property at least 30 feet above the maximum recorded flood height for that area. We need to allow for rising water levels not only due to the possible failure of water pumping stations, but also because of global warming increasing sea levels and triggering more sudden flash flooding.
So if you are stuck in a position where the risk from occasional flooding is unavoidable you need to try to reduce the risks to your home or retreat.

Starting from your boundary line consider these options
Can you raise a levee or earth berm around the perimeter of your home or house?

Can you build a brick / stone or concrete garden wall that is strong enough to hold back at least two feet of floodwater (you would need to be able seal off the gates during a period of high risk.

Can you make your water proofed gates outward opening so that the more the water pushes against them the tighter the seal is made.

Can you create a run off gully or soak away to help the water to rapidly drain away? (Not into your neighbour’s garden)

Can your car be moved to higher ground but still be close enough if you have to bug out?

Moving in from your boundary can you fit one way flap valves to your waste water and toilet outflow pipes to prevent water and waste backing up into your home.

Can your construct or obtain covers to seal off the air bricks in your walls and to seal off any gaps surrounding utility pipes and cables where they enter your home.

Can you obtain or make a shuttering board to seal off your front and back doors (and French or Patio doors)

Can you have your gas and electrical distribution boards moved to a much higher position in the wall?

Can you arrange for the upstairs section of your homes power grid to be isolatable from the downstairs (If you can and your D/Board is not immersed in the flood you may be able to keep the power on upstairs during the flood)

Can you apply a water proof rendering to the outside of your home (only worthwhile in places where flood risks are high and frequent.

Ensure the gap around all windows is well sealed with a quality silicone sealant.