After the flood

Following a flood, water levels may fluctuate for several weeks. This will depend on drainage and rainfall.

Repairs should not be attempted until the flooding period has ceased. Builders and other specialists may need to be appointed to get repairs and cleaning up done. On no account should anyone attempt work which is beyond their capabilities.

As a general rule, flooded school buildings should not be reoccupied until these three steps have been taken:

Mud removal
Cleaning and disinfection
Drying out

It is important that cleaning is not attempted if:

A building has suffered serious structural damage
A building has large amounts of sediment piled up against it or inside it – the forces placed on the building by this may have made the structure unsafe

While cleaning up is in process, those who are not involved should stay clear, especially children and pregnant women.

There are health and safety risks involved in cleaning up and those engaged to do work should take suitable safety precautions as follows:

Protective clothes should be worn (sturdy boots, waterproof gloves and face masks when handling debris) by those doing the cleaning up.
Floodwater may be contaminated with sewage, chemicals or rats' urine. Hands should be kept away from the face while cleaning and should always be washed if direct contact is made with floodwater or silt.
All cuts and grazes should be washed and covered with a waterproof plaster.
No attempt should be made to move heavy objects that could be unstable. This includes fallen trees.
Deep standing water or water that is still flowing fast should not be entered.
Standing water can obscure holes, undermined foundations and sharp objects such as broken glass. Movements should be slow and careful.

Source: After a Flood, Environment Agency, 2001.

Accidents Fire Flooding Reducing flood damage After the flood Terrorism Security and personal safety Medical conditions Missing persons	After the flood Following a flood, water levels may fluctuate for several weeks. This will depend on drainage and rainfall. Repairs should not be attempted until the flooding period has ceased. Builders and other specialists may need to be appointed to get repairs and cleaning up done. On no account should anyone attempt work which is beyond their capabilities. As a general rule, flooded school buildings should not be reoccupied until these three steps have been taken: Mud removal Cleaning and disinfection Drying out It is important that cleaning is not attempted if: A building has suffered serious structural damage A building has large amounts of sediment piled up against it or inside it – the forces placed on the building by this may have made the structure unsafe While cleaning up is in process, those who are not involved should stay clear, especially children and pregnant women. There are health and safety risks involved in cleaning up and those engaged to do work should take suitable safety precautions as follows: Protective clothes should be worn (sturdy boots, waterproof gloves and face masks when handling debris) by those doing the cleaning up. Floodwater may be contaminated with sewage, chemicals or rats' urine. Hands should be kept away from the face while cleaning and should always be washed if direct contact is made with floodwater or silt. All cuts and grazes should be washed and covered with a waterproof plaster. No attempt should be made to move heavy objects that could be unstable. This includes fallen trees. Deep standing water or water that is still flowing fast should not be entered. Standing water can obscure holes, undermined foundations and sharp objects such as broken glass. Movements should be slow and careful. Source: After a Flood, Environment Agency, 2001.
The advice contained on this site should not be taken as an authoritative interpretation of the law. That is a matter for the courts.