Floods
Food Security during flooding
Flooding can severely disrupt food access by damaging infrastructure, contaminating food supplies, and limiting transport routes. It may also affect local shops, storage facilities, and agricultural land.
What residents can do:
Avoid consuming food that has come into contact with floodwater
Dispose of contaminated food, including items in damaged packaging
Use bottled or boiled water where water supplies may be compromised
Keep an emergency supply of non-perishable food items
Follow official guidance on food safety and water use after flooding
What councils and local authorities can do:
Work with emergency services to maintain access to food supplies in affected areas
Support emergency food distribution (e.g. food banks, community kitchens)
Provide clear public health messaging on food and water safety
Coordinate recovery efforts with local producers and retailers
Integrate food resilience into flood risk management and emergency planning
Find below the Food Standards Agency's 'Food safety during flooding' advice.
If you require practical flood support during/after an event, the National Flood Forum website below can be accessed for such.
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