Print

Get used to flood warnings

The Environment Agency are urging the British public to familiarise themselves with the system of flood warnings now in place and to make sure that they are prepared to react in the appropriate way should a warning be issued in their area.

The organisation is promoting the widespread recognition and understanding of the flood alert codes it introduced in September of this year:

• Flood Watch Flooding is possible. Be aware! Be prepared! Watch out!
• Flood Warning Flooding of homes, businesses and main roads is expected. Act now!
• Severe Flood Warning Severe flooding is expected. Imminent danger to life and property. Act now!
• All Clear There are no Flood Watches or Flood Warnings in force in the area. Flood water levels are receding. Check all is safe to return. Seek advice.

The Environment Agency provides the four-stage warning service for all rivers and coastal stretches where it is possible to measure rising water levels accurately. You can expect to find warnings broadcast on the TV, radio, via the Internet, on Teletext and on the National Floodline.

Head of the Environment Agency's flood warning centre, Jim Haywood said, "Whether we like it or not, floods happen. As potential flooding looms, people need to know precisely what warnings mean and what is expected of them. The new warning system has been designed with this thinking in mind. It delivers clear information alongside equally clear, practical advice."

The call to arms comes as weekend squalls again added to the misery already poured on thousands of homeowners and forecasters predicted widespread winter flooding with the countryside groaning under the weight of water.

Persistent rain in what has been the wettest autumn on record, have led to the land being utterly saturated, meaning that fresh floods can be triggered by relatively low levels of new rain. There have only been a dozen days since the start of September on which flood warnings have not been in place somewhere in the country.

The Environment Agency's advice to people for their personal safety and to protect their property during a flood is:

• Telephone Floodline on 0845 988 1188 - for the latest information about flooding in your area.
• Listen to local radio for updates and standby for advice from the emergency services or local authorities.
• Check that your immediate neighbours are aware of the situation - especially if they are elderly or infirm.
• Move people, pets and your most valuable belongings to a safe place - upstairs if possible.
• Check your car and move it to high ground if possible.
• Make sure you have warm clothes, food, a torch and battery powered radio with you.
• Block all doorways and airbricks with sandbags or plastic bags filled with earth.
• Switch off electricity and gas if flooding is imminent.
• Don't try to walk or drive through floodwater - six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car.
• Take care when walking through shallow water - manhole covers may have come off and there may be other underwater hazards.
• Be careful not to come into contact with floodwater as it may be contaminated with sewage effluent.
• Never try to swim through fast flowing water - you may get swept away or struck by an object in the water.
• Beware of flooding at dips in the roads, bridges and low areas - turn back if the road is flooded.
• Don't walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges - they may collapse in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves.
• Beware of pebbles and stones being thrown up by waves - they may hit you, your car or your home.