Business flood plan checklists
Updated 16 November 2023
Applies to England
Taking simple steps can go a long way to protect your business from flooding. Preparing in advance will make it easier to respond to and recover from a flood. Â
Your business should have a flood plan. Keep it in a safe and accessible place, away from potential flood water.Â
Read our personal flood plan advice for core steps to take to stay safe in a flood.
1. Before a floodÂ
Actions you can take to protect your business include:Â
- check your insurance covers you for flood damage, business interruption and lost revenueÂ
- adapt your business to the risk of floodingÂ
- check that your flood prevention products or flood warning systems function properly Â
- use your existing maintenance procedures as an opportunity to reduce your flood riskÂ
- include potential impacts of a flood on staff in your health and safety assessmentsÂ
- agree flood contingency plans with suppliers and customers and contract managementÂ
- plan for preventing business disruption and assisting recovery (known as business continuity)Â
2. Business flood plan checklistÂ
Here are examples of information you could include in your plan:Â
- trigger points for action that make the most sense for your plan, for example water in the car park Â
- what should happen at these trigger points and what might change if the flood gets worseÂ
- security procedures you might need to activate during a flood Â
- a description or map of emergency routes and evacuation points Â
- shut off points for gas, electricity and water, and details of any emergency power sourceÂ
- details of items that may need special protective measures, for example hazardous or refrigerated materials, and what to do with themÂ
For your data and information:Â
- safe storage of data and information, for example customer and staff recordsÂ
- moving important documents to a location where they won바카라 사이트™t be damaged by flood waterÂ
For your people:Â
- emergency contact information, including out of normal hoursÂ
- a note of staff who may need assistance when flooding happensÂ
- details of where a first aid kit, safety equipment or medical supplies are locatedÂ
- details of actions for your staff to take and the training they may need to carry out these roles and responsibilitiesÂ
Make a person, or group of people, responsible for managing a flood emergency, including:Â
- carrying out your flood planÂ
- making decisionsÂ
- contacting relevant people on and off siteÂ
- speaking with public authoritiesÂ
- managing other staffÂ
You should make a list of important contacts, including:Â
- building servicesÂ
- utilitiesÂ
- suppliers Â
- evacuation contacts for staffÂ
These organisations may be able to help with:Â Â
- installing flood protection productsÂ
- moving stock and important items to safe locationsÂ
- emergency storageÂ
- emergency suppliesÂ
- medical supportÂ
Others who can help might include:Â
- local business and community networksÂ
- chambers of commerceÂ
- your local councilÂ
Make sure you know what you must do under relevant regulations and legislation, including:Â
- health and safetyÂ
- liabilityÂ
- environmental managementÂ
- financial managementÂ
3. Immediately before a floodÂ
If flooding is about to happen, check your staff:Â
- are safe Â
- know what to do in a floodÂ
- know their role and responsibilitiesÂ
- know how to communicate in an emergencyÂ
4. When a flood happensÂ
Follow your flood plan. You can also follow advice in:Â
5. After a floodÂ
Follow your flood plan. You can also follow advice in:Â
6. Campsites and caravan parksÂ
We have specific guidance for managing the flood risk of your campsite or caravan park.