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Warning for Suffolk residents in wake of floods

9 November, 2001

With flood warnings in place across Suffolk, Norwich Union isurging residents to take immediate preventative measures to helpminimise damage.

Figures from the Environment Agency show that only one person in10 takes any action to prepare for flooding.

While Norwich Union continues to lobby the Government for betterdefences to combat future flooding, there are steps homeowners cantake to minimise damage to their homes and belongings and be wellprepared for the worst.

Norwich Union has developed the following advice for residents– but reminds them not to put themselves at risk whilstsecuring their home.

• Protect entrances and external doors with sandbags, ifavailable
• Where possible, turn off gas and electricity at the mains,move furniture and electrical items upstairs – don’trisk an accident or hurt yourself by carrying heavy items
• Ensure you have your insurance documentation to hand withhelpline numbers and other emergency contact numbers
• If you have time, seal delicate items in plastic bags toprotect them from water damage – but don’t putyourself in danger by spending time going this, when you should begetting to a place of safety
• Pack a small selection of dry clothes and essentialtoiletries, including any medicines
• If you are unable to leave your property, fill a vacuum flaskwith a hot drink and take items such as a torch, warm clothing, abattery-operated radio (tuned to the local station for updates)and a mobile telephone (if you have one) upstairs, until thedanger has passed or help arrives. Don’t try to walk ordrive through floodwater.

Nick Pierson, head of household products, Norwich UnionInsurance, said: “There are simple precautions Suffolkresidents can take to help minimise the damage and heartache floodscan cause.

“But if people have been unlucky enough to already sufferflooding, we recommend they call their insurer’s emergencyhelpline or contact their broker as soon as possible.

“The sooner the damage is reported, the faster insurerscan get experts into your home to assess the damage. However, itcan sometimes take several months for properties to dry out and forresidents to return to their homes.”

To make a claim, policyholders should call the Norwich Union 24hour Clubline on 0800 012345 or 0800 555333 (all calls arefree).

Further information on floods is available from the EnvironmentAgency flood helpline on 0845 9881188 or visit their website atwww.environment-agency.gov.uk

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Notes to Editors:

• Norwich Union Insurance Limited. Registered in England Number99122 Registered Office 8 Surrey Street Norwich NR1 3NG
• Member of the General Insurance Standards Council
• Norwich Union’s news releases are available on thisinternet site
• A selection of images is available from the CGNU Newscast siteat www.newscast.co.uk
• An ISDN facility is available for studio quality interviews.Call the press office on 08703 66 68 68

For all life & pension media enquiries 08703 66 68 73
For all other media enquiries 08703 66 68 68

For further information contact Anja Kueppers/Matthew Buchananat QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Liz Kennett/Jenny Chapman at NorwichUnion on 08703 66 68 64

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