Businesses and home owners in Paignton are being urged by the Environment Agency to take precautions to help prevent any potential damage that could be caused by a flood.
People can find out if they live or work in an area which is at risk of flooding and find out the steps they can take to reduce flood risk, at a special Flood Awareness Day at Paignton Library on Monday 1 June 2015.
Representatives from the Environment Agency, Torbay Council and Paignton Town Centre Community Partnership will be on hand to offer advice and they are urging businesses and residents to attend the event between 11am and 3pm.
‘As part of our work to develop Paignton’s Community Emergency plan, a flood awareness day is being hosted. This event will provide opportunities for people to get answers to their questions about the risk of flooding and to learn more about how to stay safe should flooding occur,’ said Kate Taylor for the Environment Agency.
The display will remain in-situ (unattended) for the remainder of the week commencing 1 June 2015 in order to make the most of the library’s footfall and raise flood awareness in the town.
‘I would like to encourage people to check their flood risk, register for our coastal flood warning service where appropriate and to volunteer to assist with community emergency response and the Emergency Plan. Last winter was exceptional, and many places saw record rainfall totals. But flooding itself is not exceptional, it causes devastation and heartbreak and, as 1 in 6 properties across the country is at risk, we want people to do 3 simple things: know their flood risk, sign up for our free flood warning service and know what they would do if flooding does happen,’ added Kate Taylor.
Many people think flooding will never happen to them, but it could. Now is the time for people to check whether they are at risk and to make sure that they are prepared.
The Environment Agency has also worked with communities to develop community flood plans or incorporate flood plans within their wider Emergency Plan. Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary, Long Brook Street in Plympton and Kingsbridge are just 4 of the communities who have recently completed their Emergency Plans to prepare for the possibility of flash flooding.
The three most important steps for people to take are:
- To use the Environment Agency’s maps to find out if they are at risk of flooding
- To sign up for free flood warnings in their area
- To prepare a personal flood plan
Visit www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding for more information.
Alternatively, you can obtain help and advice by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or go online to learn more about how to prepare for a flood via Facebook, Twitter #floodaware or YouTube.
