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Guest blog: Scottish Environment Protection Agency

December 22, 2016

In time for the holiday season, Stewart Prodger from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Flood Unit talks flood preparation and myth busts on Floodline registration.

With many of us leaving our homes for holiday time elsewhere, people should really make sure they are prepared in case flooding occurs.

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the UK and can happen at any time of the year, affecting your home, travel and work life. You should always be aware of local flood risk but if you’re likely to be away from your home over Christmas or New Year, it’s even more important to be flood prepared.

• be aware that travel routes and transport links can be disrupted by flooding (SEPA’s website provides live flood updates which can help you to plan your route in advance)

• if your property is in a flood risk area, make sure you have left it as well flood protected as possible (even simple things like keeping gutters and drains clear of leaves can make a difference!)

• if action is required, try to have someone local aware and prepared to help

• make sure you are signed-up to get free Floodline messages delivered to a phone you have away with you

You can sign up to Floodline at www.sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup or by calling 0345 988 1188/ 0845 988 1188. A host of useful information and tips on preparing for flooding is available at www.floodlinescotland.org.uk. This is also where you’ll also find SEPA’s Report-a-Flood tool, which enables you to share information on current flooding issues to help others.

This might be the perfect time to reassure folk that using this tool, and registering to SEPA’s Floodline service, is entirely confidential. No commercial organisation gets access to this data, so it cannot – and will not – have any negative effect on things like insurance premiums.

And finally, whether you’re staying at home or travelling further afield over the festive period, it’s important to ensure your insurance provides adequate cover for flood damage and it’s worth considering flood protection products that could help to reduce the impact of flooding on your property.

Here’s hoping we don’t see a repeat of last year’s unseasonal misery, but if the worse happens, do make sure you’re as prepared and ready to take action as possible.

Stewart Prodger, SEPA

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