21/01/2005 - The Environment
Agency will be writing this week to residents
of the Severn Beach area 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 nearly 3,000 properties
in Severn Beach, from Aust to Avonmouth.
All are in the tidal floodplain of the Severn
Estuary and, if undefended, would have at
least a 0.5% 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
Severn Beach are small, the damage and distress
would be extreme. Everyone living and working
in the affected areas should make reasonable
precautions for flooding now, so that when
they hear a flood warning they can act immediately.
The letter contains a leaflet which explains
the flood warning system which, for the
Severn Beach area, will be broadcast on
local radio. It is important that people
read this leaflet and keep it in a convenient
place for when they might need it.
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 how
they will receive their flood warning when
flooding is expected, and what to do next.
When a flood is expected, BBC Radio Bristol
(available on 95.5/94.9/104.6 FM & 1548
MW) will broadcast local information providing
further details about 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, people can enter a quick dial code 0524133,
which will take them straight to their area
of interest (Severn Estuary between Aust
and Avonmouth, including Severn Beach).
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.
