The Environment Agency
may issue further flood warnings across
Cumbria this evening and overnight, as heavy
rainfall across the region
continues.
The heaviest rain is
expected between 2100 and midnight, with
rivers levels likely to peak early on Wednesday.
While there is a possibility of further
flooding in some areas, river levels are
not expected to return to those experienced
last Thursday and Friday.
What are we doing?
Environment Agency staff will issue any
further flood warnings through its free
flood warnings service and will use loudhailers
to warn those in areas where there is no
electricity or phone lines are down.
Environment Agency teams
are currently reinforcing flood defences
in Cockermouth with sandbags and staff have
also been out across the country today checking
flood defences, inspecting reservoirs, deploying
pumping equipment and clearing debris from
rivers.
River levels in Cumbria
River levels across Cumbria remain high,
the ground is still saturated and residents
and emergency services are being warned
to be prepared to take action if necessary.
The public are being warned to stay away
from flood water and rivers and follow local
advice on road diversions.
River levels on the
Severn
River levels on the Severn are being closely
monitored and the Environment Agency has
deployed temporary defences as a precaution
to protect properties in Shrewsbury, Upton-on-Severn
and Bewdley (Severnside North).
Flood warnings
Since Wednesday, the Environment Agency
has made more than 76,000 calls to homes
and businesses warning them of the threat
of flooding. The Environment Agency’s Floodline
has received more than 27,000 calls from
members of the public.
David Jordan, Director
of Operations at the Environment Agency,
said: “Our teams have been working around
the clock to check flood defences, inspect
reservoirs and clear debris from rivers
so they can flow as freely as possible.
“We may issue further
flood watches and flood warnings later today
and overnight as rivers peak following today’s
heavy rain. Our teams are monitoring the
situation closely but people must remain
vigilant and be prepared to take action
if necessary. Anyone concerned about flooding
should visit the Environment Agency’s website
for more information or call our Floodline
on 0845 988 1188.”
The Environment Agency
currently has 15 flood warnings and 54 flood
watches in place across the country.
ENDS
Media enquiries: 020
7863 8710 or outside normal office hours
on 07798 882 092
Notes to editors
What should people do to prepare for flooding?
Check if you are in
a flood risk area
Enter your postcode on our am I at risk
pages to view our flood risk maps and to
see if your property is in an area at risk
of flooding from rivers and the sea.
Get further essential
information on what to do before, during
and after a flood on our flood pages.
Sign up to Floodline
Warnings Direct
Our free service provides flood warnings
direct to homes at risk of sea or river
flooding by telephone, mobile, email, SMS
text message, fax or pager. As well as signing
up for warnings, you can get simple advice
on what to do before, during and after a
flood. Call 0845 988 1188 to find out if
you are at risk.
Make an emergency flood
plan
Flooding happens quickly and often when
you least expect it. It's easy to lose each
other at time like this. Preparing an emergency
flood plan will help you through a serious
situation. Creating the plan with your children,
explaining what to do and even practising
the plan will prepare them for the time
when you may need it.
Check your insurance
cover and confirm that you are covered for
flooding.
Know how to turn off
your gas, electricity and water mains supplies.
Prepare a flood kit
of essentials items
This could include copies of insurance documents,
a torch, a wind up or battery radio, warm
waterproof clothing and blankets, prescription
medication, bottled water and non-perishable
foods, baby food and baby care items, important
contact details.
Keep a list with all
your important contacts to hand.
Think about what you
can move now
Move items of personal value such as photo
albums, family videos and treasured mementos
to a safe place.
Flood-proof your home
There are things you can do to your property
that will make it easier and cheaper to
clean up after a flood: Raise the height
of electrical sockets to 1.5 metres above
ground floor level. Use lime plaster instead
of gypsum on walls. Fit stainless steel
or plastic kitchens instead of chipboard
ones. Position any main parts of a heating
or ventilation system, like a boiler, upstairs.
Fit non-return valves to all drains and
water inlet pipes. Replace wooden window
frames and doors with synthetic ones. Find
more information on flood-proofing your
home.
Use temporary flood
protection equipment
Flood protection equipment can help restrict
flood water. Plastic covers to seal airbricks
can stop flood water coming in through your
airbricks. Sandbags may be provided by your
local council or you can buy your own, or
fill pillowcases and plastic bags with earth.
Floodboards fix to frames around windows
and doors. They can be washed, stored and
used again.
