Guidance

Business flood plan checklists

Updated 16 November 2023

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

Taking simple steps can go a long way to protect your business from flooding. Preparing in advance will make it easier to respond to and recover from a flood.  

Your business should have a flood plan. Keep it in a safe and accessible place, away from potential flood water. 

Read our personal flood plan advice for core steps to take to stay safe in a flood.

1. Before a flood 

Actions you can take to protect your business include: 

• check your insurance covers you for flood damage, business interruption and lost revenue 
• adapt your business to the risk of flooding 
• check that your flood prevention products or flood warning systems function properly  
• use your existing maintenance procedures as an opportunity to reduce your flood risk 
• include potential impacts of a flood on staff in your health and safety assessments 
• agree flood contingency plans with suppliers and customers and contract management 
• plan for preventing business disruption and assisting recovery (known as business continuity) 

2. Business flood plan checklist 

Here are examples of information you could include in your plan: 

• trigger points for action that make the most sense for your plan, for example water in the car park  
• what should happen at these trigger points and what might change if the flood gets worse 
• security procedures you might need to activate during a flood  
• a description or map of emergency routes and evacuation points  
• shut off points for gas, electricity and water, and details of any emergency power source 
• details of items that may need special protective measures, for example hazardous or refrigerated materials, and what to do with them 

For your data and information: 

• safe storage of data and information, for example customer and staff records 
• moving important documents to a location where they won’t be damaged by flood water 

For your people: 

• emergency contact information, including out of normal hours 
• a note of staff who may need assistance when flooding happens 
• details of where a first aid kit, safety equipment or medical supplies are located 
• details of actions for your staff to take and the training they may need to carry out these roles and responsibilities 

Make a person, or group of people, responsible for managing a flood emergency, including: 

• carrying out your flood plan 
• making decisions 
• contacting relevant people on and off site 
• speaking with public authorities 
• managing other staff 

You should make a list of important contacts, including: 

• building services 
• utilities 
• suppliers  
• evacuation contacts for staff 

These organisations may be able to help with:  

• installing flood protection products 
• moving stock and important items to safe locations 
• emergency storage 
• emergency supplies 
• medical support 

Others who can help might include: 

• local business and community networks 
• chambers of commerce 
• your local council 

Make sure you know what you must do under relevant regulations and legislation, including: 

• health and safety 
• liability 
• environmental management 
• financial management 

3. Immediately before a flood 

If flooding is about to happen, check your staff: 

• are safe  
• know what to do in a flood 
• know their role and responsibilities 
• know how to communicate in an emergency 

4. When a flood happens 

Follow your flood plan. You can also follow advice in: 

• personal flood plan
• what to do before or during a flood 

5. After a flood 

Follow your flood plan. You can also follow advice in: 

• personal flood plan
• what to do after a flood 

6. Campsites and caravan parks 

We have specific guidance for managing the flood risk of your campsite or caravan park.