Useful Advice
About Flooding

If causing an obstruction contact the Police, however they may already be aware of the situation. Otherwise contact Wiltshire Council on 0300 456 0100 or https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywiltshire-online-reporting

Try to stay with friends or family. Contact your insurer, as they might be able to arrange accommodation. Alternatively Wiltshire Council will address priority homeless cases and you can contact 0300 456 0100 for further advice.

Destroy all food grown contaminated by flooding

If you have any flood damaged larger items such as furniture or white goods, please check with your insurance company before disposing of them as it may affect your claim.
You can take domestic items to local household waste sites at Churchfields – details are shown here.
If you have no means of transporting items to a household waste site, please check with your insurance company to see if they can help, as costs of removal may be possible to be added to your claim. If you are elderly or disabled, please phone 0300 456 0100 for help and advice.

You may be able to get help with your business rates but it depends on certain criteria. Please contact 0300 456 0100 where we will be able to advise you.

No, the City Council does not supply disinfectant. Clean walls and floors with a soap solution and disinfect with bleach solution. Alternatively contact your insurer who may be able to help with domestic cleaning services.

Contact your GP or Samaritans – 08457 90909090 or use the Yellow Pages or similar to source suitable assistance.

Double bag and throw away all food that has come into contact with flood water and any food that was frozen that has been at room temperature for more than an hour. Either take it to a household waste site or put it out for your normal collection.

It will depend on the extent of the flooding and whether you have had to vacate your property. You will need to speak with Wiltshire Council on 0300 456 0100 who will advise you about the help that may be available to you.

No. You can obtain dehumidifiers from hire centres.

You will need to contact Wiltshire Council 0300 456 0100

Make sure all affected appliances have been fully tested before using them again. Get specialist advice from electricians.

It is unlikely that it will be safe to do so for more than a few hours. Contact Wiltshire Council for advice on 0300 456 0100,

Health risks can be minimised by taking general hygiene precautions and by the use of protective clothing (waterproof boots and gloves) whilst cleaning up.
You should also always wash your hands with soap and clean water:
• after you go to the toilet,
• when you eat or prepare food,
• after being in contact with flood water, sewage or items that have been contaminated by flood water, and
• after participating in flood cleanup activities.

Don’t allow children to play in floodwater areas and wash children’s hands frequently (always before meals). Wash floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water and disinfectant before allowing them to be used again.

Keep any open cuts or sores clean and prevent them being exposed to flood water. Wear waterproof plasters.

Harmful bacteria may be present in sewage and animal slurry, and this can pass into flood water, although it is likely to be extremely diluted. If you or anyone in your family gets symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea, or tummy cramps, or if you become ill after accidentally swallowing mud or contaminated water speak with your GP, call NHS Direct on 111 or visit the NHS Direct website for advice.

In inaccessible areas such as under floorboards it may smell but is not necessarily a health hazard. Get further advice from the environmental health department if the smell persists or if you are particularly concerned about it for other reasons.

As your property continues to dry out, vacuum any loose material and dust on a regular basis.

Very young children should avoid playing directly on timber floorboards or any damaged tiled floors if possible – be aware of the risk of injury from sharp edges on tiles or raised nails in the floorboards until these have been repaired.

Contact your insurer as soon as possible .Try not to move damaged items, as your insurer may need to inspect them. If possible take photos or video damaged property to give to your insurer.

Interest free crisis loans are available in some circumstance.

You can hire chemical toilets from hire companies and camping and caravan stores.

You can hire these from local hire centres. For more serious flooding the Fire Service will deal with situation if life threatening.

Make a note of where you have seen the rats and approximately how many then phone into Regulatory Services for advice on 0300 456 0100,

If you have to leave your property lock all doors and windows providing its safe to do so, and remove all valuables.

Your utilities may have been switched off for safety reasons. Do not switch on any utilities until you have checked with an expert that is safe to do so.

For more information refer to Wessex Water.