How to receive flood info and advice 2019

Flooding – Operational Flood Working Group News – November 2019

We are now in the winter and many of us are aware of the number of flood warnings being issued by the Environment Agency with rivers and groundwater rising, wellington boots have been dusted off to cope with the large puddles. Standing water is becoming a lot more frequent.

Town and Parish councils need to be more vigilant than ever, and we are asking that you check your flood plans are up to date, any equipment you have is working, particularly pumps and generators as they may need checking or to be refuelled, and that they can be accessed easily should there be a flood. Check that all of your contact details up to date and any vulnerable residents are aware of the help available within the community.

Make sure you are signed up to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning system.

Those towns and parishes on the chalk should sign up for groundwater flood warnings.   If your community is concerned about surface water flooding, you should also sign up for the Met Office’s severe weather warning alerts.  https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings

Surface water flooding can happen very quickly, so make sure you report instances of standing water on high speed roads (60mph) or gullies that if blocked would cause internal property flooding by using the Wiltshire App.  https://iweb.itouchvision.com/portal/f?p=customer:login:::NO::UID:BAADHFRUC3CF4783T31NEBE0400707AF01007D25

Those of you with flood plans will know your critical gullies. Check ditches and watercourses for blockages, especially with leaves as they can cover over gullies and cause flooding

Many of you who live on the chalk are aware of the seasonal rise in groundwater and the Environment Agency are currently keeping a close watch on the levels.  Warnings will be issued should it become necessary. Flood wardens have also been asked to update Wiltshire Council if ground water appears, or if sewers become slow to drain, as this will help us to assess any need within the communities

 

https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings

To sign up for flood and groundwater warnings

or

Floodline Telephone: 0345 988 1188 24-hour service

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywiltshire-download

Sign up for the Wiltshire App

Telephone: 0300 456 0100