06/11/2006 - Environment Agency Wales is raising flood awareness across south east Wales with its 2006 Flood Warning calendar. The calendar features photographs of rivers during the course of a year taken by local photography enthusiasts. Pupils from schools across the area took part in the photographic competition and the successful entrants won gift vouchers, along with a framed picture of their winning entries. Environment Agency Wales flood warning officer Tito López will be visiting the winners in early 2006 to present their prizes.

Tito said: 'The calendars provide useful information on what to do before, during and after a flood and they help to increase general awareness of flooding issues in the area. They are being distributed to homes and businesses in areas liable to flood that have registered to receive a flood warning directly from our free service. We thought a calendar, which people look at every day was a good way to remind them of ways to minimise the dangers, hard work and heartache of flooding and its aftermath.'

Flooding can cause massive emotional, and financial strain. At worst, flooding can cause death and injury. Serious flooding leaves houses uninhabitable for months, with the emotional upheaval of having to make alternative living arrangements. Whilst insurance can ease the financial blow, people often lose irreplaceable personal possessions. People can find out if their home or business is at risk by visiting the website or phoning Floodline 0n 0845 988 1188.

Tito said: 'By entering your postcode on the Flood Map in the Environment Agency Wales website, you can instantly see whether you live in an area at risk of flooding. The site also contains valuable information about what to do before, during and after a flood. I advise anyone living in a flood risk area to visit the website or phone Floodline as we just don’t know where or when the next serious flood will occur in Wales. So it’s important to be prepared for flooding. Our 2006 Flood Warning calendar provides a handy reference of useful information and will help maintain that awareness throughout the year.'

Environment Agency Wales’ three steps to take to prepare for flooding:

Visit ‘floodline’ on this website or call our 24 hour Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to find out if you are at risk of flooding
Find out if flood warnings are available in your area.
Make sure you understand the flood warning codes so you know what to do when a flood warning is issued.