Flooding

Flooding can occur, for example, during snowmelt or following heavy rainfall. If a flood warning is issued, there are a number of things you can do to prepare.

Before a flooding

• Check your insurance cover. Take photos of the rooms in your house so you can show them to your insurance company if necessary.
• Draw up an evacuation plan and think about what you need to take with you and where you should go.
• Store valuable or fragile items in a safe place. When storing them in a basement, place them at least 50 centimetres above the floor.
• Check that downpipes, wells, ditches and drainage pipes are clear and in good condition.
• Check that roots from trees and bushes have not grown into the water and sewerage systems, causing blockages and leaks.
• Ensure that the ground slopes away from the property so that water runs off in the right direction.
• Check the electrical installations to ensure they are not at risk of flooding. Ensure access to a backup power system if required.
• Check that the roof, windows and doors are watertight so that no water can get in.
• Get protective equipment, such as pumps or temporary flood barriers.
• Have a floor drain that can be shut off, non-return valves on drains, plugs for washbasin pipes and a watertight lid over the toilet.
• Point out and discuss the need for preventive measures with other affected property owners and the local authority.

During a flood

• Follow weather forecasts, SMHI warnings and messages, and news reports in the media.
• Move items that are sensitive to moisture and valuable items to a flood-safe place.
• Switch off the power at the main circuit breaker if water enters your home. Never walk in water that may be electrically charged.
• Seal basement windows and ventilation openings.
• Block floor drains and toilet chairs with sandbags, filled pillowcases or similar items. If the sewer pipes become flooded, water may come up through them.
• Build a temporary barrier using plastic and sandbags or soil – this can stop a minor flooding.
• Dig a ditch to divert the floodwater.
• Pump out any incoming water using a bilge pump. It is important to ensure a balance between the pressure inside and outside the cellar when pumping out water. If the ground outside the house is saturated with water, the basement floor or walls may be subjected to pressure if the cellar is drained.
• Move your car to a higher location.
• Avoid walking or driving through flooded areas.
• Stay in a high placed location where you can be picked up by the emergency services if you are unable to leave your location due to the flooding.
• Keep in touch with your neighbours. You may need to help one another.
• Contact the emergency services on 112 if the situation becomes too difficult.

After a flooding

• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
• Make a list of the damages and document everything carefully by taking photographs and filming.
• Ask an electrician to check that it is safe to switch the power back on if your home has been flooded.
• Wash your hands and ensure good hygiene after coming into contact with floodwater.
• Do not drink tap water until your local authority has confirmed that it is safe to drink.
• Be careful when the water recedes. The property may have been undermined and the foundations may have been damaged. It may be dangerous to remain in the property due to the risk of collapse.
• Ventilate the property to remove moisture by opening windows and doors, or use a dehumidifier.
• Drinking water may be contaminated with bacteria following a flood. You should therefore check with your local authority to ensure that the tap water is safe to drink. If you have your own well for drinking water, you should assess whether the water has been affected. If you are unsure, you can submit a water sample for analysis.

Dam failures and evacuation

A dam breach means that a dam has burst and water is flowing out uncontrollably. This can lead to widespread flooding, major damage to infrastructure and danger to people living in or visiting the area.

If a dam has burst, an Important Public Announcement (IPA) will be broadcast on radio and TV. In areas at risk of flooding, outdoor warning sirens will sound and the emergency rescue services may order an evacuation.

If you live in an area that needs to be evacuated, you should follow the reports on Sveriges Radio P4 and follow the authorities’ advice on Krisinformation.se.

How to evacuate during a dam breach

• If a dam bursts, it is usually an emergency, and therefore a IPA (Important Public Announcement) is issued, which is broadcast via radio, TV and text message, amongst other channels. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in the areas where they are installed.
• If you are in an area that needs to be evacuated, you should leave the area as quickly as possible and make your way to higher ground, such as a hill. Listen to your local P4 radio station and follow any instructions given.
• Take warm clothes, ID, medication and essentials with you so you can manage for a couple of days. You should have prepared this in advance, as time may be short.
• If you do not have a car or, for any reason, find it difficult to evacuate on your own, you may need to contact the emergency rescue services for assistance.
• Evacuate in accordance with the local authority’s instructions and use the recommended routes to the designated assembly point. If you have relatives, friends or a holiday home that is not affected by the dam breach, you can evacuate to there.
• Once you have evacuated, register at the local authority’s assembly point or with the local police.
• Avoid staying in or near the flooded area. The water may flow rapidly and there is a risk of the ground becoming unstable, which could lead to landslides and collapses.