Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common across the UK. From intense storms and prolonged rainfall to flash flooding and rising river levels, both homes and businesses are more vulnerable than ever before.
The good news is that with the right preparation and the right flood solutions, you can significantly reduce the risks. Here’s how to protect your property, safeguard your people, and build resilience against future events.
1 • Understand Your Risk
Preparation starts with awareness. Every property is different, and knowing your specific vulnerabilities helps you plan effectively.
- Check the flood risk maps for your area.
- Look at local council resources for historic flooding patterns.
- Businesses should carry out a site-specific risk assessment to identify at-risk areas such as storage rooms, basements, or IT suites.
This knowledge is the foundation of your defence strategy.
2 • Have a Flood Plan in Place
When extreme weather strikes, there isn’t time to hesitate. A clear plan ensures you can act fast.
- Keep emergency contacts, insurance details, and key documents in a waterproof container.
- Decide who is responsible for deploying barriers or communicating with staff/customers.
- Prepare an emergency kit: torches, first aid, bottled water, and essential supplies.
The more detailed your plan, the smoother your response will be.
3 • Invest in Effective Flood Defences
Physical barriers are often the most visible and impactful way to protect your property.
One of the most innovative options available is the NOAQ Boxwall — a lightweight, portable barrier that can be deployed in minutes. Designed to use the water’s own weight for anchoring, the Boxwall creates a secure line of defence across driveways, car parks, entrances, or even whole streets.
Other complementary flood solutions include:
- Witches Hat Drain Cover – prevents floodwater backing up through drains.
- Sandbags or water-filled barriers – useful in uneven terrain or as secondary defences.
- Flood doors and gates – permanent fixtures that protect entry points.
Combining multiple products creates layered protection and reduces the risk of water breaching your property.
4 • Protect Utilities and Critical Assets
Even a few inches of water can cause costly damage. Safeguard your most important utilities and assets by:
- Raising electrical sockets, fuse boxes, and boilers above potential flood levels.
- Storing valuable documents, IT servers, and stock in waterproof containers or on higher shelves.
- Installing non-return valves on pipes to stop sewage backflow.
These simple measures can dramatically reduce the impact of a flood.
5 • Consider Long-Term Resilience
While barriers and emergency measures are vital, long-term strategies are equally important. Businesses and homeowners alike can invest in Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), such as:
- Permeable paving to absorb excess rainwater.
- Rain gardens and swales to channel water away.
- Water butts to collect runoff from roofs.
These eco-friendly measures ease pressure on drainage systems and provide an extra layer of resilience during extreme weather.
6 • Stay Informed
Knowledge is power during severe weather. Stay connected by:
- Signing up for free Environment Agency flood alerts.
- Monitoring weather apps and local forecasts.
- Keeping staff and family members updated on the latest warnings.
Being informed ensures you can act quickly before the worst arrives.
Final Thoughts
Extreme weather events are a growing reality, but with the right preparation, you can protect what matters most. From having a plan to investing in innovative products like the NOAQ Boxwall, combining multiple flood solutions will give you the strongest possible defence.
At Flood Solutions UK, we supply a wide range of products designed to make your property more resilient.
👉 Contact our team today for expert advice and tailored solutions.
