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If water is rising fast or flowing strongly evacuate to safety immediately. If minor flows are threatening to enter your home there are some simple ways you can provide protection or divert the water away (being careful of where you are diverting it to).

If you think there is a possibility of flooding the best thing is to take preventative measures now but at least keep some materials obtainable from hardware or garden supply outlets on hand for when it does happen.

Water entering doorways or vents

• Block or divert water with a barrier made of plywood across the doorway.
• Placing towels, tarpaulins or plastic sheeting over gaps can make this more effective.
• Hold it in place with sandbags (see improvised sandbags details below).

To divert flowing water

• Make a small wall with a ladder, bricks, or lengths of framing timber to divert the flow.
• You can use towels, tarpaulins or plastic sheeting to provide a better seal.

Improvised Sandbags

• If you don't have some sacks and sand (perhaps from a child's sandpit) to use, bags of potting mix or even supermarket and shopping bags partially filled with soil may work.
• Don't fill them too full for handling and lay them overlapping like bricks for stability.