News Register for flood alerts this Flood Action Week
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is encouraging everyone to check if they are in a flood risk area and register for Environment Agency Flood Alerts this ‘Flood Action Week’.
Taking steps to prepare and knowing what to do in a flood can significantly reduce risk to life, damage to property and the suffering from mental health impacts in the future.
Cllr Martin Round, Lead Member for Environmental Services at MBC said:
“In many flood risk areas, you can sign up for flood warnings. These warn of the risk of flooding from rivers, the sea and groundwater. You’ll be alerted by phone, email or text when flooding is expected. Why not sign up now.”“Just by taking one action you can reduce the effects of flooding on your home and family, and even save a life. The best way to protect yourself from flooding is to know what to do in advance, follow the simple steps on the Environment Agency website.”
Flood Action Week is taking place from 7 to 13 November. This annual Environment Agency campaign aims to increase awareness of the risk of flooding and what to do to prepare.
Preventative steps for possible flooding include:
- To Sign up for flood warnings: flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings
- Have a flood kit of essential items at home
- Check the Environment Agency website for flood warning information: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings
- If they see any blockages in watercourses to report them to the Environment Agency’s through a free 24- hour incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60
- Keep up to date on social media: @EnvAgencySE
Throughout periods when the area is at risk of flooding Maidstone Borough Council will continue to support the Environment Agency and carry out its humanitarian responsibilities.
MBC is also reminding residents that they are responsible for their own flood protection equipment which may include sandbags. If anyone believes their home is at risk they should purchase these from builders’ merchants now and store them at home ready to react quickly if there’s a problem.
Further flooding advice can be found on the Maidstone Borough Council website:
http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/home/other-services/seasonal-advice/tier-2-primary-areas/flooding-advice