Advice for flood victims: Nationwide

Nationwide Building Society has released a list of tips for homeowners affected by flood waters.

The building society said those affected should inform their insurer as soon as possible and carry out any emergency repair work that may prevent further damage.

However, it advised that more permanent or extensive repairs should not be carried out without the insurance group giving the green light.

Homeowners should keep badly-affected furniture until authorised to dispose of it by their insurer or a loss adjuster and keep all receipts.

All essentials and valuables should be moved upstairs while furniture should be pushed away from the walls.

Electricity or gas should not be used until it is safe to do so and the same advice applies to drinking water.

The building society also advised people affected to check whether their insurance company offers "alternative accommodation".

Last month, the Henley Standard reported that a couple in Henley-on-Thames have been busy planning and building an ecohome with a garage that rises to prevent flood damage.