With the return of winter comes the renewed menace of flooding, and Herefordshire Council is encouraging you to ‘be prepared’ in case of severe weather over the winter months.
You are advised to check for Met Office weather warnings, check your property’s flood risk and sign up for flood warnings. If you do live in a flood risk area, do what you can now to prepare for a flood. This could include making a personal flood plan so you’ll know what to do when there’s a flood warning in your area or preparing a bag of essential items to take with you if you do have to leave your property.
Those who own land next to watercourses like ditches, streams or brooks are ‘riparian landowners’ – this means that they are responsible for keeping them maintained and free flowing to minimise the risk of flooding. Simple maintenance like keeping them clear of debris will help to protect your property.
You should consider in advance what you can do to protect your own property and have a plan to put any measures in place in good time. If you wish to keep a stock of sandbags, they can be purchased from builders’ merchants or hardware stores locally.
To tell us about flooding call us on 01432 261800. If there is any risk of danger to people or property from floodwater ring 999 immediately.
For more information and resources on the things you can do to prepare, as well as how the council works to manage and limit the impact of flooding, visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/floods
Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member for Infrastructure and Transport, said: “The council has been working hard with Balfour Beatty Living Places, the Environment Agency and other stakeholders to try to prevent flooding, raise awareness of it, and deal with it when it occurs. However, it’s vital that people know how to protect themselves and their property. There’s a host of resources on our website and we urge people to be prepared and make sure they know what to do if it floods.
“Please pay attention to road closures and do not drive through any flooded or closed roads. Not only is this dangerous, but it often requires fire service intervention when their resources may be urgently needed elsewhere.”