Flood management – Herefordshire Council

After a flood

Financial support after flooding

In the aftermath of Herefordshire flooding, immediate straightforward financial support for people affected is available from Herefordshire Community Foundation. This helps with urgent needs like the cost of living in temporary accommodation or for items people need to stay in their homes, for example dehumidifiers. Grants of £250 are available for affected households. Larger grants are available for projects providing relief support for affected communities.

Apply for support from Herefordshire Community Foundation

Information for users of septic tanks and private water supplies

Clean up

If your home or property has been flooded it could be contaminated by oil, silt and sewage. This will need to be carefully and completely cleaned up to remove any health risk. Basic precautions will help to keep you and your family safe. This will include wearing waterproof protective clothing, covering cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings and following detailed advice about cleaning household items. You should make sure that you wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

If you have been in contact with flood water and find that you are experiencing flu like symptoms, in the first instance you should call NHS 111. This service will be able to provide with advice and guidance and refer you for treatment if needed. You should make NHS111 aware that you have been in contact with flood water.

If you are concerned about contaminated water or sewage in floodwater, call our environmental health team on 01432 261761.

If you think an elderly relative or neighbour has been affected by flooding get in touch with our adult social care team.

If a road has been affected, you can report potholes and damaged roads after flooding.

The Environment Agency has information about cleaning your house as well as details of organisations that can help you do this. The UK Health Security Agency also has a useful leaflet on cleaning your home safely after a flood. Unless they are contaminated, you can dispose of most water-damaged items at one of our household recycling centres. Ask the staff there if you need any help.

If you are worried about the security of your property call West Mercia Police.

Reusing and disposing of sandbags

Dry out sandbags and store them in a shed, garage or under cover so you can use them again. If you cannot store them, open them up and spread the sand on your garden if you have one. You can then treat the sacks as normal waste. If the sand or bags are contaminated, please dispose of them responsibly. Contact our Environmental Health team for advice if you are unsure, email ethelpline@herefordshire.gov.uk or call 01432 261761.

Emotional support

If you have felt stressed, anxious or depressed following the flood and would like some psychological and emotional support, the mental health provider in Herefordshire can offer a service to support your wellbeing during this difficult time, please visit Herefordshire Healthy Minds or contact them on 0808 196 9127.

If you need support, contact family and friends, your doctor or an organisation like the Red Cross or the Samaritans.

For local organisations that can offer support see the Talk Community Directory's mental health and wellbeing page.

Insurance

Flood Re is a joint initiative between the government and insurers. Its aim is to make the flood cover part of household insurance policies more affordable. You can read about how Flood Re works. It is important that people at high flood-risk in Herefordshire shop around for the best insurance policy. For more information visit the Flood Re website.

A loss adjuster is someone who is employed by an insurance company to decide how much money should be paid to a person making a claim.

A loss assessor is someone appointed by a policy holder to manage a claim on their behalf.

Advice from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) about flooding resilience and on working through the insurance system after a flood: