The Environment Agency operates a flood warning system, giving information to the public, media, emergency services and local Authorities.
Using the latest available technology, the Agency monitors rainfall, river levels and sea conditions 24 hours a day and use this information to forecast the possibility of flooding. If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued using a set of four easily recognisable codes. The following codes are used:
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Flood Watch - Flooding possible. Be aware! Be prepared! Watch out!
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Flood Warning - Flooding expected affecting homes, businesses and main roads. Act now!
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Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding expected. Imminent danger to life and property.
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All Clear - An all clear will be issued when flood watches or warnings are no longer in force.
The Environment Agency website has more information on current flooding warnings.
When there is a risk of flooding the Agency issues warnings through the media; they are broadcast on TV weather bulletins and on radio weather and travel reports. Make sure you know which is your local radio station.
Flood warnings are also displayed on ITV Teletext regional weather pages (page 154) and on BBC Ceefax (page 419).
The Environment Agency provides the Floodline Service - Telephone Number 0845 988 1188. You can listen to recorded flood warning information or speak to an operator for general information and advice 24 hours a day.
What this Council Will Do
The Council's approach to providing emergency assistance during times of flooding is as follows:
- The Council has no legal responsibility to provide assistance to residents during times of flood.
- The Council will provided emergency assistance on an ad hoc basis dependent upon local conditions, its obligations elsewhere in the district and its available resources.
- The Council will provide sandbags or other such equipment as it feels appropriate, if they are available, to assist with the defence from flooding to persons or property within the area.
- The Council operates a local flood plan in the event of a flooding incident and this includes its response to the two formal flood zones in the district in Appleby and Eamont Bridge.
- The Council will assist with the dissemination of Environment Agency flood warnings where appropriate. The Council will keep the necessary equipment at their depot to carry out the above functions, or have facilities to get access to the appropriate equipment rapidly.
- Very serious flooding resulting in the need for evacuation of houses, provision of temporary accommodation and the like is covered by the Council's Emergency Plan.
If you live near the coast, there is always a possibility that a combination of high tides and bad weather will threaten your property with flooding, even though engineers will have done as much as possible to reduce the risk of this happening.
However, even if you live inland, events over the past few winters have demonstrated that exceptional storms can cause flooding even on hill slopes, when the drainage system is simply overwhelmed by the amount of water it is expected to carry.
In addition, when the ground is saturated even small additional amounts of rainfall will find it difficult to drain away from gardens and enclosed spaces.
The Council, at times of emergency, will be endeavouring to protect the public at large and will not be able to assist a large number of individual homeowners who may find their properties threatened.
For Further Information
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Contact: Senior Assistant Director Community Services, Mansion House, Penrith CA11 7YG
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Email: engineer@eden.gov.uk
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Telephone: 01768 212302
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Fax: 01768 890732
