HELP! I fear my house is going to flood tomorrow.

[Kendodd]

I live in Devon six feet from a river, the house is 300 years old and we are told that it has never flooded before. The ground is saturated and this is the weather forecast tomorrow

Panicking a bit

[ThompsonTwins]

Ken, do you have sandbags? Is there anyone to help move as much as possible upstairs? This is so awful for you, waiting. Hope it isn't as bad as you fear.

[Chanatan]

I feel your panic.We are in the same county and the rain yesterday and earlier in the week was horrendous.Have you checked if there is a flood alert for your river?

[Kendodd]

I've been watching floodline, but they seem useless, they seem to only tell you where there IS flooding, not if you should expect flooding.

We are all sandbagged up but do they really work?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Have you not lived there very long?

Do you know if you have a cell number?

Its just that someone I work with was saying that they have a cell number which is a point of reference for when they phone the Environment Agency (?) for an update. Even if you haven't a number maybe phone them anyway?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Environment Agency website

[Chanatan]

Is this any good to you.

[Kendodd]

Thank you all

We have been here three years, our neighbours have been here 25 years and said that they have never seen the river as high as it was on Wednesday. The field on the other bank flooded but that ground is all saturated now so there is nowhere for the water to go now and we've got heavy rain forecast from 7am Sat until 1am Sun.

I don't know what you mean Norbert? Do you mean sign up for floodline calls?

[dreamofwhitehorses]

Sandbags aren't brilliant for severe flooding. Can you construct some floodboards? Basically plywood, shutterboard, whatever you have cut to size for your doorway then silicon or mastic round it. Then sandbags. Also sandbag any airbricks that could let water in, make sure any drains near you are clear. Are their water channels or culverts near you that will direct water past? If so are they clear?
Finally think seriously about moving as much stuff as you can upstairs, as if you do flood it may happen very quickly.Hope all is okay.

[bluebump]

I'm in Devon too, not far from where the Grand Western Canal burst it's banks, it's the worst i've seen it here. I hope you manage to survive the next outbreak of rain.

[drmelons]

Oh Ken, you poor thing. Fingers crossed you will be fine, if it hasn't flooded for 300 years I'm sure you will get away with it.

However...... I can offer some advice, we have now been flooded 3 times in the last 2 months, so I am somewhat of an expert.

I would start to move anything of monetary or sentimental value upstairs tonight, it's a pita but it would be one less thing to do in a hurry. Also find something large and heavy (logs are ideal) and move them inside to use to prop up large pieces of furniture on. We flooded over a metre the first time but the last couple of times something like this would have been a life saver! It may also sound obvious but organise child or pet care 'just in case' for tomorrow (again its one less thing to worry about.)

It is also worthwhile checking your insurance policies, e.g. Who would pay for temp accommodation if you had to move out for a while etc.

One of the low points we had was trying to find somewhere else to live. Holiday houses are best as they are fully equipped (we lost all kitchen equipment, sofas, washing machines etc) we lost Internet access due to our flooding so trying to find somewhere was awful. Maybe having a list to hand compiled before would help?

Having now said all of that, I'm sure that if you were going to flood it would have already happened!!!

Good luck!

[PPPop]

Can you move as much of your valuables/moveable/irreplaceable stuff upstairs? I store photos in a bookcase near the floor and they would be the first thing I would move I think.

Wishing you lots of luck.

[Kendodd]

Well we have been told our house never floods, not in living memory and no historical evidence of it. It may have flooded in the past but if it did it would have been a long long time ago.

drmelons, that's terrible for you. Are you back living in your house? Have you been able to insure your house still?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Ken - I'm not entirely sure what she meant. She lives somewhere that has flooded before so, as a result, has an allocated 'cell number' which I presume is a precise location reference so that she can get an accurate flood risk/report from the Environment Agency.

I just wondered if you'd been given one by the previous occupants but, as the house has never flooded before, probably not.

I would hope that as your house has never flooded in 300 years that its unlikely to now. Around here the levels are currently 2 metres below those of 2007.

[ThompsonTwins]

Ken, expect you have blocked all the openings you can think of - doors, drains, manhole covers etc. but also try and block sink, lav and and bath drains. A few weeks ago I heard an interview with a woman whose house had flooded, not through the doors which had been blocked with sandbags, but up through the drains. Airbricks and points where pipes and cables enter the house are also vulnerable - if you have any or can get some, you could use silicone sealant to block any cracks where pipes etc enter the house.

[Kendodd]

Where do you live Norbert?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Ken, I don't actually live near a river but the local news said that the rivers in Worcester (Severn) and Evesham (Avon) are due to peak at 2m lower than 2007

[CMOTDibbler]

Its certainly the worst on the Avon since 2007 Norbert - though the flood defences in my town are working well so far. Could get bad again tomorrow though.

Hope all is ok for you KenDodd - I'm sure that if your house has never flooded before it should be OK

[ExhaustTed]

I second what everyone above says about moving important items upstairs, having a bag ready of some essentials and storing some drinking water.

You've probably seen this ea link as its got some handy advice.

I hope all is ok for you.

[Kendodd]

Still dry so far! The weather forecast is predicting steady rain all day turning very heavy this evening. Why is it always bloody dark when we are most at risk! I live in a small village, no street lighting this end so it really is going to be pitch black.

[Chanatan]

Morning Kenn,glad to hear your ok atm.Its chucking it down In South Devon and our only access road is starting to flood,might have to take the 4wd to pick up ds when he finishes work later as his little car wont go through the water.

[Kendodd]

Chucking it down, river has burst its banks and the field is flooded but the house is still dry. Biting nails!

[Rattitude]

How are you and your house today? I hope you did not get flooded.

[lalalonglegs]

Did you stay dry Ken? I was lurking and thinking of you.