Flood preparation for businesses
Flooding can have a serious and lasting impact on businesses. The 2007 floods affected over 1,300 businesses in Hull – disrupting operations, damaging premises and stock, and interrupting supply chains for months at a time.
The good news is that preparation can make a real difference. Businesses that have a flood plan in place, have checked their insurance and taken steps to reduce the risk to their premises are significantly better placed to respond quickly and recover faster. This page sets out the practical steps every business in Hull and the East Riding should take.
Step 1: Check your flood risk
The first step is to find out whether your business premises are at risk – and from which type of flooding. In Hull and the East Riding, businesses can be affected by river flooding, tidal surges, surface water, sewer flooding and groundwater. Your risk depends on where your premises are located.
You can check your flood risk for free using the Environment Agency’s online flood map. If your premises are in a flood-risk area, sign up for free flood warnings so you and your staff always have advance notice.
Step 2: Make a business flood plan
A business flood plan sets out clearly what your business will do before, during and after a flood. Having one in place means your team can act quickly and confidently when it matters – rather than making decisions under pressure.
The Environment Agency provides a free business flood plan checklist covering everything you need to include. Key elements of a good business flood plan are:
Contacts and responsibilities
- A named person – or team – responsible for managing a flood emergency, making decisions and communicating with staff and authorities
- Emergency contact details for all staff, including out-of-hours numbers
- Contact details for building services, utilities, suppliers and key customers
- Details of local business networks, chambers of commerce and your local council
Your premises
- A description or map showing the location of shut-off points for gas, electricity and water, plus any emergency power sourceTrigger points for action – for example, water in the car park or a flood warning being issued for your area
- Security procedures to activate during a flood
- Emergency evacuation routes and assembly points
- Details of any items needing special protection – such as hazardous materials, refrigerated stock or specialist equipment
Your data and records
- Safe storage arrangements for customer records, financial data and essential documents
- A plan for moving important documents to a safe location before a flood arrives
- Cloud backups or off-site storage to protect digital records
Your people
- Clear roles and responsibilities for all staff during a flood emergency
- Details of any staff who may need additional assistance
- Location of first aid kits, safety equipment and medical supplies
- Training arrangements so staff know what to do and are confident in their roles
Step 3: Protect your premises
Physical protection measures can significantly reduce the damage flooding causes to your premises and contents. Some measures are low cost and quick to put in place; others require more investment but can substantially reduce repair and recovery costs.
- Install flood barriers, door guards or air brick covers to prevent water entering your premises
- Fit non-return valves on drains and toilets to prevent sewage backing up
- Raise electrical sockets, fuse boxes and boilers above likely flood levels
- Move stock, equipment and important documents to upper floors or higher shelving
- Use water-resistant materials for flooring and lower wall surfaces where possible
- Keep drains, gutters and gullies clear to reduce surface water risk
The National Flood Forum’s Blue Pages directory lists approved suppliers of flood protection products and services.
Step 4: Review your insurance
Insurance is a critical part of flood preparation for any business. Before a flood happens, make sure you understand exactly what your policy covers – and what it does not.
- Check that your policy covers flood damage to buildings, contents and stock
- Make sure you have business interruption cover in case flooding prevents you from trading
- Check whether your policy covers lost revenue during a period of recovery
- Review your cover regularly – especially if your premises, stock or equipment have changed in value
- Keep a photographic record of your premises, stock and equipment to support any future claim
If your premises have flooded before, or are in a known high-risk area, speak to your insurer or broker about what options are available to you.
Step 5: Plan for business continuity
A flood can disrupt your business for days, weeks or even longer. A business continuity plan sets out how you will keep operating – or resume operations as quickly as possible – if your premises are affected.
- Agree flood contingency plans with key suppliers and customers in advance
- Identify alternative premises or remote working arrangements for staff
- Make sure critical systems and data are backed up and accessible off-site
- Have a communication plan in place for keeping customers and suppliers informed during and after a flood
- Know which local organisations – such as your local council, chamber of commerce or Business Flood Advisor – can offer support during recovery
When a flood warning is issued
If a flood warning is issued for your area, your first priority is always the safety of your staff. Make sure everyone knows what to do, where to go and who is responsible for what.
- Activate your flood plan immediately – do not wait for water to arrive
- Alert all staff and confirm their roles and responsibilities
- Begin moving stock, equipment and documents to safety
- Deploy flood protection measures – barriers, door guards, air brick covers
- Shut off gas, electricity and water at the mains if flooding is likely to reach your premises
- Do not allow staff to remain in the building if it is unsafe to do so
- Contact your insurer’s 24-hour emergency helpline as early as possible
Frequently asked questions
If your business premises are in Hull or the East Riding, the answer is almost certainly yes. With over 100,000 properties at risk of flooding across the region, and multiple types of flooding that can affect any area, every business should understand its risk and have a plan in place. The Environment Agency provides a free checklist to help you build one.
Use the Environment Agency’s free online flood risk tool to check your risk from river, tidal and surface water flooding. You can also sign up for free flood warnings for your postcode so you always have advance notice when flooding is likely.
Activate your flood plan and make sure your staff are safe – that is always the first priority. Then begin protecting your premises and contents as set out in your plan. Contact your insurer’s emergency helpline early, as this can speed up the claims process significantly.
It depends on your policy. Many standard business insurance policies include flood damage, but not all cover business interruption or lost revenue. Check your policy carefully and speak to your insurer or broker if you are unsure. Do this before a flood – not after.
Sandbags can help divert surface water but are less effective at keeping water out of buildings than purpose-made flood protection products. If your premises are in a known flood-risk area, it is worth investing in proper flood barriers, door guards and air brick covers instead. The National Flood Forum's Blue Pages directory lists approved suppliers of flood protection products and services.
A number of organisations can help with business flood recovery, including your local council, the National Flood Forum and the Environment Agency. Your insurer should also be a first point of contact. The Government’s flood recovery guidance sets out the practical steps to take after a flood and the support available.
There are occasionally grant schemes available to help businesses invest in flood resilience measures – particularly following a significant flood event. Contact your local council or the Environment Agency to find out what may be available in your area. The National Flood Forum can also provide advice on funding and suppliers.
