Flooding
Preparing for flooding can help reduce damage to your home and keep you and your family safe.
It is your responsibility to manage your own flood risk and protect yourself, your family, property or business.
Check your flood risk
Check your flood risk on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s flood maps.
The SEPA flooding website also has:
- live flood alerts and warnings
- a 3‑day forecast showing where and when flooding is expected across Scotland
- Floodline, a free service you can sign up for flood messages
You can also get these services by calling Floodline.
Phone Floodline
0345 988 1188
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK.
Prepare for flooding
There are steps you can take to prepare for flooding:
- in advance
- when flooding is forecast
There is also advice on preparing for flooding from the Scottish Flood Forum.
Prepare in advance
Planning ahead can reduce the impact of flooding. You can:
- make an emergency plan for your home
- prepare an emergency kit with essentials you may need
- save important phone numbers somewhere easy to find
- join a local flood group
If you or someone in your household needs extra support, agree in advance who can help.
If you need help to leave your home safely
Think about what support you need and include it in your emergency plan.
Insurance
Make sure your buildings and contents insurance covers flood damage. Take detailed photos of your home before any flooding happens.
Flood Re is a scheme between the UK Government and insurance companies. It makes flood cover more affordable for high-risk properties.
Find an insurer on the Flood Re website.
Utilities
Find out how to turn off your gas, electricity and water.
Your utility company can give you extra support through the Priority Services Register. You can get this if you:
- use medical equipment that needs power or water
- are disabled or have a long-term health condition
- live with children under 5
- are over 60
Flood protection products
You can use flood protection products to reduce water entering your home. Find out more in the Scottish Flood Forum’s PDF flood protection guide.
If flooding is forecast
If you expect flooding and it is safe to do so:
- move your vehicle to higher ground
- fit your flood protection products
- move valuables, medicines and important documents above ground level
- charge your mobile phone and power banks
If flooding is imminent
- turn off the electricity to your home by tripping the main switch in your fuse box
- turn off the gas emergency control valve, normally near your meter
Stay informed
Check your local weather forecast and national weather warnings on the Met Office website.
You can keep up to date with weather warnings in your area by:
- checking the latest weather forecast on your TV or radio
- using the Met Office app on your phone
- signing up for Met Office weather warning emails
You can track flooding in your area by checking SEPA’s live flooding information.
Looking out for others
Check in on people who need extra help during flooding, if it's is safe to do so. You can:
- help prepare their home for flooding
- pick up extra food, water, toiletries or medications they need
- make sure they have important phone numbers written down
- keep in contact by phone or visiting them
- tell emergency services where they are
During a flood
Follow instructions from emergency services. Evacuate your home if they ask you to do so.
Avoid contact with flood water as it may be contaminated.
If it is safe, move to higher ground or upper floors. Stay away from shorelines.
Do not use electrical appliances.
Flooding can have an impact on your physical and mental health. Find out how to protect your health when a flood occurs on NHS Inform.
If you lose power
Call 105 free of charge to:
- report the problem
- get updates on when your power will be restored
You can also report a power cut on the Power Cut 105 website.
Find out how to stay safe during a power cut on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.
Travel during a flood
Flooding can cause dangerous travel conditions.
Keep yourself safe by following the latest travel advice from official sources.
If you must travel:
- plan ahead
- allow extra time for your journey
- tell someone your destination and when you plan to arrive
- pack an emergency kit and charge your phone before you go
- have one or more emergency contact numbers on your phone or in your bag
Do not walk or cycle through standing or flowing flood water. Even shallow, fast‑flowing water can knock you over or move a vehicle.
Check traffic information
Check live traffic information on Traffic Scotland or by phone.
Traffic Scotland Customer Care Line
0800 028 1414
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Calls to 0800 numbers are free.
Driving during a flood
If you must drive, make sure your car is ready for poor weather. For example, check your:
- fuel – make sure you have enough for your journey
- tyre treads – the minimum depth is 1.6 millimetres
- tyre pressure – if tyres are worn or incorrectly inflated then they have less grip
- lights – make sure they are working and in good condition
- wipers – make sure the blades are not worn and can clear the windscreen correctly
Do not drive through flood water. You could damage or lose control of your car.
Find out how to drive in heavy rain and flooding at Traffic Scotland.
Public transport
Flooding can disrupt public transport. Be prepared for delays. Take warm clothing, food and a hot drink.
Check if your service is affected at Traveline Scotland online or by phone. Or check directly with your public transport operator.
Phone Traveline Scotland
0141 465 1878
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK.
After a flood
Only return home when emergency services say it is safe.
Do not switch your electricity back on until a qualified person checks it.
Flood water can contain harmful bacteria. Wear protective clothing if you need to clean up.
Check on neighbours, relatives or others who may need extra support.
The Scottish Flood Forum has advice on recovering after a flood.
Insurance
Contact your insurer as soon as possible. Take photos of any damage to your home.
Flood Re allows your home to be reinsured, even if it has been flooded in the past.
Report a flood
Find out how to report various kinds of floods on mygov.scot.