Preparing for a flood
Priority Checklist
- If you have just moved in, ask your neighbours how flooding affects your area.
- Sign up for Government flood warnings here. These can be “alerts” (yellow), “warnings” (amber), or “severe warnings” (red). Click here for more information.
- SOFLAG, the South Oxford Flood Action Group aims to provide news during flood events and act as a link between residents and key agencies like the council and the Environment Agency. You can let us know what is happening, find out if the High Street is open to traffic through the bus gate, whether you can park in the Redbridge P&R, or ask questions through your street’s WhatsApp group. Contact us for more information at: southoxfordfloodaction@gmail.com.
It is good to make a personal plan for what to do if there is a flood:
- Move any vulnerable items out of reach of flood water, including in your garden or garage
- Keep important documents in a safe, dry place, including e.g. photographs.
- Make sure you know how to turn off gas and electricity
- Tall wellies are great because they are easily washed after being in the flood water
- Torches and power banks are useful if there are power cuts
- Find a safe place to move your vehicle. There may be free parking at the park and ride
Preparing your home
Flood resilience means making alterations to your house so flood damage is reduced. You could e.g.:
- Move sockets and wiring well above floor level
- Use waterproof plaster
- Raise domestic appliances on platforms
- Install stone or tile floors
In South Oxford, this is particularly relevant for houses that have converted their flood cellars into living areas. A property which is resilient will be easier to clear up and cost less to repair after flooding. Your life can return to normal more quickly.
Flood resilient gardens
Many gardens in South Oxford will be temporarily inundated with water during floods. Advice from local residents on the type of plants that are resilient to these conditions can be found in the following video on our YouTube site. A second video taken at the Flood Resilient Garden at Howbery Park in Wallingford provides further insights for planting in flood-prone gardens.
