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Businesses and flooding

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Protect your business from flooding

Flooding can cause serious disruption to businesses. Even a small amount of water can damage stock, equipment, and electrical systems. Planning ahead helps reduce losses and gets you back up and running sooner.

Environment Agency flood warning service

If your business is located within an area at risk of flooding, sign up to the Environment Agency’s free Flood Warning service: Get flood warnings by text, phone, or email (GOV.UK).

Make a business flood plan

Preparing a flood plan gives your business a clear set of actions to follow when flooding is expected. Use the Business Flood Plan Checklist (GOV.UK) for guidance and to build a plan tailored to your needs.

Your plan doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should:

  • Define trigger points (e.g. ‘water in the car park’ or ‘river level rising’) and what to do when they happen
  • List key contacts including the emergency services, utilities (water, electricity, gas, phone, etc), insurance, suppliers, staff, and customers
  • Include a map of your site: where to shut off water, gas, and electricity; where to store critical items
  • Allocate and specify roles and responsibilities - who does what in a flood scenario
""Image source: The Flood Hub
  • Plan for continuity of core business functions, data backup, and where to move vital documents or stock
  • Have an evacuation plan if needed, ensuring staff know how to get to safety
  • Prepare a business flood kit that is stored in a safe, accessible place (away from likely flood water) with:
    • A copy of your business flood plan
    • Essential staff items: torch, batteries, mobile phone and charger, first-aid kit
    • Copies of critical documents (insurance details, business record) stored in a waterproof folder
    • Emergency supplies: bottled water, snacks, camera to record damage, spare keys
    • Anything else that’s important or relevant to your business
""Image source: The Flood Hub

Check your business insurance

Insurance is one of the most important parts of your flood preparation. Confirm your business insurance covers flood damage, stock loss, business interruption, and other critical risks. Some standard policies may not automatically include flooding, so speak to your insurer or broker to confirm what’s covered.

Ensure you review your policy regularly, especially if you’ve made changes to your premises or stock levels.

Keep insurance details, inventories and important records in a waterproof folder and store digital copies safely.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) provides a directory of specialist brokers who can help businesses in flood-risk areas find appropriate cover. Visit the BIBA and ABI Flood Insurance Directory.

Prepare and maintain a business continuity plan

Flooding can affect more than just your premises – it can disrupt your staff, suppliers, customers, and the wider community. A business continuity plan (BCP) helps you identify the critical parts of your business and put in place arrangements so you can keep going, even if flooding or other emergencies strike. Key points to include:

  • Identify your critical business functions: what must continue if premises are inaccessible or stock is damaged
  • Think about your supply chain and dependencies: do you rely on one supplier or one customer? What happens if they’re flooded?
  • Set triggers and actions: for example, when a flood warning is received, move stock, make backup arrangements, communicate with staff and customers
  • Practice and review your plan: a BCP isn’t “write it and forget it” – review it regularly, test it with staff, update contacts, and circumstances

More information on how to prepare a business continuity plan can be found on The Flood Hub Business webpage.

Make your business more resilient to flooding

Protecting your business premises from flooding can reduce damage, disruption, and recovery costs. Making your business more resilient doesn’t stop floods entirely, but it can make it easier to recover if water gets in.

Flood resistance measures

These are measures designed to keep water out of your building:

  • Flood doors, barriers or covers for doors and air bricks
  • Fit non-return valves on drains to prevent water backing up.
  • Seal gaps around windows, doors, and walls to limit water entry

Flood resilience measures

If water does enter, these steps will help reduce damage and speed up recovery:

  • Raise electrical sockets, meters, and machinery above likely flood levels.
  • Use water-resistant materials for walls, floors, and furnishings.
  • Design areas so they can be easily cleaned and dried

Practical tips for businesses

  • Keep stock and equipment on raised shelving or racking rather than on the floor.
  • Move IT equipment, computers, or important machinery away from areas that may flood
  • Consider replacing carpets with hard flooring or using waterproof finishes in high-risk areas
  • Check that any installed flood protection (barriers, doors, pumps) is maintained regularly
  • Move vehicles to higher ground (this might be off site)
  • Pay particular attention to any hazardous materials than would contaminate flood water

These steps can help reduce damage, protect essential business functions, and make it easier for your business to recover after a flood.

Flood alarms

If your business premises is close to a river or watercourse, a private flood level alarm can warn you when water levels are rising. This gives you extra time to put temporary measures in place and act before floodwater reaches your building.

What to do when there is flooding

Never put yourself in any danger.

If you’re about to be flooded, you should:

  • Keep your flood kit to hand and follow your business flood plan
  • Turn off gas, electricity, and water if it is safe to do so - do not touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water
  • Move staff, visitors, and customers to a safe area
  • Move important stock, equipment, and documents to higher ground.
  • Avoid driving or walking through flood water – it may be deep or contaminated
  • Inform staff of the situation and tell them not to travel if routes are affected
  • Contact suppliers and customers to explain any delays or closures
  • Keep a record of damage, including photos or videos, as this will help with insurance claims later
""Image source: The Flood Hub

Driving in floodwater

Driving through floodwater brings risks which can result in severe consequences. If driving is necessary, please view, download and share The Flood Hub driving in floodwater guidance (opens as PDF).

Before setting off, consider:

  • Checking the weather reports
  • Can the journey be delayed?
  • Allowing extra time
  • Can an alternative route be taken?
  • What happens if there is flooding along the route? Is turning around an option?

Recovering from flooding

Once the water has gone down, recovery can take time. Acting safely and keeping good records will help your business get back on its feet.

Safety first

  • Do not enter your premises until it is safe. Flood water may have damaged floors, electrics, or equipment
  • If in doubt, get a qualified professional to check electrics, gas systems, and structural safety
  • Wear protective clothing such as gloves and waterproof boots during clean-up

Contact your insurance company

  • Report the flooding as soon as possible
  • Take photos and videos of all damage before you start cleaning or repairs
  • Keep receipts for repairs, replacement stock, and any temporary equipment
  • Follow the guidance given by your insurer or loss adjuster

Cleaning up and repairs

  • Remove damaged stock, furniture, and equipment only once your insurer has confirmed it is okay to do so
  • Use disinfectant on surfaces touched by flood water
  • Ventilate and dry the building as soon as possible to reduce mould and further damage
  • When repairing or refitting, consider flood-resilient materials to reduce future disruption

Business operations

  • Update staff, customers and suppliers on reopening plans or temporary arrangements
  • Check IT systems, backups, and communications equipment before restarting operations
  • Review your business continuity plan and record what worked well and what needs improving

Support and wellbeing

  • Flooding can be stressful for business owners and staff. Encourage your team to seek support if they feel overwhelmed
  • Practical and emotional help may be available through local business networks or community organisations