Tuesday 1 August 2006
Source: New Broughton Newsletter
The Environment Agency is encouraging householders in the area to sign up for its Floodline Warnings Direct service, which provides free warnings direct to people who live or work in designated flood warning areas - by phone, mobile, fax or pager, 24 hours a day.
Less than half of almost 34,000 North West properties eligible to receive free flood warnings by phone have signed up - depriving themselves of a valuable chance to prepare for a serious flood.
Flood Incident Management Officer, Claire James, said: "We can't always prevent flooding but we can prepare for it. Floodline Warnings Direct gives people an early warning and gives them a chance to take steps to protect themselves and their property."
- Agency staff monitor rainfall, river levels and sea conditions 24 hours a day to forecast the possibility of flooding. If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued using four codes:
Flood watch - flooding of low lying land and roads is expected. Be aware, be prepared, watch out.
- Flood warning - flooding of homes and businesses is expected. Act now.
- Severe flood warning - Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now.
- All clear - flood watches or warnings are no longer in force.
If you would like to find out whether or not your property is at risk of flooding advice is available 24 hours a day from the Environment Agency's Floodline, 0845 988 1188, or at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwarning.