25/01/2005 - The Environment
Agency is urging older people in Sussex
to prepare for the threat of flooding.
Earlier this month the unfortunate deaths
of two women in flooded properties in Carlisle
highlighted that older people are particularly
vulnerable to flooding. As part of an annual
flood awareness campaign the Environment
Agency is targeting older people to ensure
they are aware of measures that can be taken
before, during and after a flood to minimise
damage.
Five million people are at risk of flooding
in England and Wales but taking some simple
actions in advance can save a lot of heartache
and misery. The checklist for older people
includes:
Find out if your home is at risk from flooding
by calling the Environment Agency’s 24 hour
Floodline 0845 988 1188 or visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline.
If you have special needs, contact social
services to see whether they can help you
in a flood
Find out if friends or family could offer
you a place to stay or contact social services
to see if they can offer temporary accommodation.
Find out how to turn off your gas and electricity.
Plan how you would keep your pets safe
during a flood.
Andrew Gilham, Sussex Area Flood Defence
Manager, said:
"Older people are one of the social
groups who are most affected during a flood
and the sad events in Carlisle have made
this all the more evident. Physical limitations
can make it difficult for older people to
respond to flood warnings so advance preparation
is vital. We urge people to contact us for
advice on the simple measures that can be
taken to minimise the damage if flooding
occurs.
"By raising awareness of the difficulties
that older people face we hope that people
will also think about their older friends,
family and neighbours and check that they
are safe in the event of flooding."
The Environment Agency in partnership with
Help the Aged has produced a new leaflet
‘Flooding: be prepared, a guide for older
people which offers practical advice on
what steps can be taken to prepare for a
flood event. Leaflets can be requested by
calling the Environment Agency’s 24 hour
Floodline 0845 988 1188 or logging on to
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline
to find out more.
