Flood plans and warnings
Checked 23 Oct 2026
A flood plan costs nothing and is the single most useful thing you can do before you spend a penny on protection. GOV.UK's flood advice starts in the same place: sign up for warnings, then plan how you'll respond.
Tools
Guides
- How to sign up for flood warnings (England, Scotland, Wales and NI)Free flood warnings in every UK nation: sign up online or by calling Floodline, plus where to see live warnings and how Northern Ireland differs.
- How to write a household flood plan (free printable template)Make a household flood plan in a few minutes: who to call, where to turn off the gas, electricity and water, what to move, and where your flood kit is. Prints on one page.
- Flood kit checklist: what to keep readyWhat to keep in a flood kit, following the Environment Agency's flood plan template.Being written
- Flood warning issued: what to do in the next hourWhat a flood alert, flood warning and severe flood warning mean in each UK nation, and what to do, in order, when a warning is issued for your home.
Sign up for warnings
Warnings are free. In England, Scotland and Wales you can sign up by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, any time of day, or online through your nation's service. Northern Ireland has its own arrangements: see NI Direct's flooding advice.
Make a household flood plan
The Environment Agency's personal flood plan template asks you to write down who can help you and who you can help, where to turn off the gas, electricity and water, what to move to safety, and where you keep your flood kit. Our planner below follows the same headings and prints on one page.
When a warning comes
Follow the instructions in the warning. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.
Sources
- Prepare for flooding (GOV.UK), checked 23 Oct 2026
- Flooding advice (Northern Ireland) (NI Direct), checked 23 Oct 2026
- What to do during a flood (GOV.UK), checked 23 Oct 2026
- Floodline (England, Scotland and Wales) (GOV.UK), checked 23 Oct 2026
- Emergency services (GOV.UK), checked 23 Oct 2026
- Sign up for flood warnings (GOV.UK), checked 23 Oct 2026
- Personal flood plan (Environment Agency template) (Environment Agency), checked 23 Oct 2026