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Environment and Waste

Flooding

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 uses this information to forecast the possibility of flooding. If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued using the following three easily recognisable codes:

Flood Alert - Flooding possible. Be aware! Be prepared! Watch out!
Flood Warning - Flooding expected affecting homes, businesses and main roads. Act now!
Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding expected. Imminent danger to life and property.

The Environment Agency website has more information on current flood warnings.

Alternatively you can telephone the Floodline Service on 0845 988 1188 24 hours a day and listen to recorded flood warning information or speak to an operator for general information and advice.

When there is a risk of flooding the Agency issues warnings through the local media; they are broadcast on TV weather bulletins and on radio weather and travel reports.

Flood warnings are also displayed on ITV Teletext regional weather pages (page 154) and on BBC Ceefax (page 419).

The Council has no legal responsibility to provide assistance to residents during times of flood.

What we will do

Our approach to provide emergency assistance during times of flooding are as follows:

We will provide sandbags, if they are available, to assist with the defence from flooding to persons or domestic property within the area (to a maximum of 8 per property).
We operate a local flood plan in the event of a flooding incident and this includes its response to the main flood zones in the district at Appleby and Eamont Bridge.
We will assist with the dissemination of Environment Agency flood warnings where appropriate and will keep the necessary equipment at our 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.