Flood support letter

Dear resident,

I hope this letter finds you safe and well. Council officers are visiting each property in the Ruislip Gardens area affected by this week's flash flooding to carry out welfare checks and offer advice and support.

We understand that this may be a difficult time for you and want to reassure you that we are here to support you in any way we can.

For information and guidance on flooding, you can visit our website www.hillingdon.gov.uk/flooding.

Flood recovery checklist:

• Accommodation - stay with friends/family or claim from your household insurance to pay for alternative accommodation if your home isn't habitable. If these options are not available to you, please call us on 01895 250222.
• Re-entering your property - only enter when safe to do so once flood water has subsided. Inspect electricity, gas and water supplies and contact your supplier if they are not working. Only turn them on when they have been checked by a qualified technician.
• Insurance - if damage has occurred, call your insurance company (if you own your property), or your landlord (if you rent your property) to inform them of the situation and follow their advice on what to do next. Make sure you take photographs of any damaged items prior to disposal.
• Cleaning up - wash and disinfect surfaces, furnishings and belongings. Throw away any soft furnishings or items that cannot be cleaned. Ensure your property is fully dried out using central heating and ventilation, or dehumidifiers. For information on how our bulky waste collection service can help you, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/flooding.

Please contact us directly on 01895 250222 if you need any further council support during this time.