Getting involved in writing a community plan, and helping to implement it during a flood, will help save lives and minimise the damage and distress flooding can cause. A community flood plan sets out:

1. The locations at risk of flooding in your community
2. Actions to be taken before, during and after a flood
3. Contact details of volunteers/ flood wardens and the cascade of information during a flood
4. What your local triggers to activate your plan are
5. Important telephone numbers
6. Available resources
7. Arrangements with the authorities
8. Vulnerable residents/properties    

Flood Plan Guidance for Communities and Groups	Testing Your Community Flood Plan: River Scenario	Testing Your Community Flood Plan: Coastal Scenario

As part of your plan you may wish to identify certain skills or equipment that residents have that may be of use to your community. The link below leads to a letter that can be adapted to suit your needs.

• Sample letter to communities to identify skills

It’s also important to understand the role that each responding organisation plays during a flood and therefore who you need to make contact with before, during and after.

• Types of Flooding and Who Can Help: Poster

It’s important to understand what the different flood warning codes are, what they mean and what to do next.

You may need to recruit volunteers or flood wardens, you can use the below poster to advertise in your community.

You may have businesses in your community and this handy checklist may help them identify the actions they can take to prepare

To increase awareness of flood risk within your community you can use the following resources – print them off for use on your community notice board, your parish newsletter or community Facebook page.

How Does the Environment Agency Manage Flood Risk?	Are You Flood Aware?	Shoreham's Path to Flood Resilience