Preparing for a flood
What matters most in a flood, what official guidance in the UK says, and long-life food that suits it.
In a flood, the things that matter most are important documents, insurance details, utility shut-offs, meeting point. England's 24-hour Floodline is 0345 988 1188; you can get flood warnings by text, phone or email.1
What matters most
- Important documents
Know where your important documents are kept. SupKit never asks you to upload them. - Insurance details
Policy numbers and claim lines for home and contents insurance. - Utility shut-offs
Where to turn off water, gas and electricity. - Meeting point
Somewhere your household agrees to meet if you're separated. - Emergency contacts Essential
Important numbers saved where you can reach them without the internet. - First aid kit Essential
A stocked first aid kit that everyone knows where to find. - Drinking water Essential
3 litres per person per day for drinking is the commonly recommended amount. - Torch Essential
A torch for each part of the home you'd need to move around in the dark.
What official guidance in the UK says
- England's 24-hour Floodline is 0345 988 1188; you can get flood warnings by text, phone or email.1
- If it's safe, turn off gas, electricity and water before flood water arrives, and move people and valuables upstairs.2
Stay safe
Water and food for a few days
For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:
| 3 days | |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | 18 L |
| Food energy | 13,500 calories |
Long-life food that suits a flood
Each of these keeps without a fridge:
- Tinned chilli
- Tinned soup
- Baked beans
- Microwave rice pouch
- Tinned tuna
- Crackers
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Cereal bars
- Tinned fruit
Allergies, dietary needs and children
Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.
| Food | Typical allergens | Typically suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Tinned soup | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Baked beans | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Tinned tuna | fish | check the label |
| Crackers | cereals containing gluten | vegan |
| Peanut butter | peanuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Dried fruit and nuts | tree nuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Cereal bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Tinned fruit | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan, gluten free |
Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.
- UK food law names 14 major allergens, including cereals containing gluten, milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soya, sesame, celery, mustard and sulphites.3
- On pre-packed food in the UK, these allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list, for example in bold.3
- 'May contain' warnings aren't a legal requirement, so a missing warning doesn't guarantee a food is free of an allergen.3
Young children
Questions
What do I need for a flood?
Important documents, Insurance details, Utility shut-offs, Meeting point, Emergency contacts, First aid kit, Drinking water, Torch.
How do I stay safe in a flood?
Don't walk, cycle or drive through flood water; it can hide hazards and contain sewage.
Sources
- Prepare for flooding, GOV.UK. Checked 28 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- What to do before or during a flood, GOV.UK. Checked 28 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- Food allergy and intolerance advice for consumers, Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK). Checked 28 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- Foods to avoid giving babies and young children, NHS. Checked 28 October 2026.
We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.
