21/01/2005 - The Environment
Agency will be writing this week to residents
of Burton on Trent who may be unknowingly
at risk of flooding, with details of how
they will receive their flood warnings and
what they need to do to prepare.
The letter will go out to 6,677 properties
in Burton on Trent. All are in the floodplain
of the River Trent and, if undefended, would
have at least a 1% risk of flooding in any
one year, according to our latest flood
maps.
They are served by flood defences, but
flooding is a natural event that cannot
be completely prevented. While the defences
are built to a standard that will protect
from most floods, it is always possible
that an extreme flood will overtop or breach
them.
Although the chances of such a flood affecting
Burton are small, the damage and distress
would be extreme. People living and working
in the affected areas should prepare for
flooding now, so that when they hear a flood
warning they can act immediately.
If flooding is expected, we will broadcast
a severe flood warning by loudhailer. This
means that severe flooding is expected,
with imminent danger to life and property,
and people need to act quickly.
These warnings are essential to give people
valuable time to take precautionary measures
to minimise the impact of flooding should
it occur. It is important that people know
what their warning will sound like, and
what to do next.
The letter contains a leaflet which explains
the flood warning system. It is important
that people read this information and keep
it in a safe place. If we need to issue
a severe flood warning by loudhailer for
these areas, the message they will hear
is:
"This is the Environment Agency, a
severe flood warning is now in force in
this area. Tune into local radio and television
for more information."
Local radio and television stations will
also broadcast further information on the
areas affected by flooding.
We operate a 24-hour help line called Floodline
(tel: 0845 988 1188) where people can find
out more information about flooding as well
as listen to up to date local flooding information..
By calling Floodline and selecting option
1, residents of Burton on Trent can enter
a quick dial code 0521132, which will take
them straight to their area of interest
(the River Trent between Drakelow and Clay
Mills).
Floodline can also provide information
on how to prepare for a flood. This is available
in English, Welsh, Hindi, Gujurati, Punjabi,
Bengali and Urdu.
Information and advice is also available
at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/
Anyone requiring more information about
their flood warning service can contact
their local Area Office on 08708 506 506.
Notes:
The Environment Agency is responsible for
issuing timely flood warnings to people
and property at risk of flooding from rivers
and the sea, when practical and possible.
Warnings are essential to give people valuable
time to take precautionary measures to minimise
the impact of flooding should it occur.
The latest flood maps were launched on
the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk
in October 2004. They maps use the best
information available based on computer
models, survey data and historical records,
and we are continuously working to update
and improve them.
