Residents in Middlesbrough are invited to find out more about preparing for a flood at an event hosted by the Environment Agency and partners.
Just 3% of residents in the town are signed up to receive free flood warnings – which means they get vital time to prepare in the event of a flood.
Representatives from the Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water, Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland Emergency Planning Unit will help residents understand their flood risk from the becks which flow through the town, and know what to do to prepare.
It’s the first in a series of events taking place in Middlesbrough to increase the town’s resilience to flooding.
The event takes place on Thursday 26 April at St Chad’s Church, Emmerson Avenue.Residents can drop in at any time between 3pm and 6.30pm.
Also on display at the event will be the winning poster design created by a pupil from St Edward’s Roman Catholic Primary School, which will be displayed in the community, as well as the runners up in the competition.
Sarah Pearce, Flood Community Engagement Officer with the Environment Agency, said: “Only 54 out of 1,600 residents are signed up to receive free flood warnings in Middlesbrough and it’s concerning for us that people don’t understand their flood risk, or feel they don’t need to do anything about it.
“Being flooded is completely devastating and having those vital moments to protect your loved ones and save valuable and sentimental items can reduce the impact. We have some practical steps that people can do now, such as creating a ‘grab bag’ which means they are ready in the event of a flood.”
The Environment Agency will also be talking to residents about schemes to reduce the risk of flooding in the area, while partners will be discussing flooding from other sources such as surface water and drains.
Northumbrian Water Project Manager Elaine Smith added: “We know the terrible impact flooding has on communities and so we’re committed to doing everything we can to help people be ready in the event of a flood. Come along to the event, speak to us and we can all work together to help be prepared.”
The Environment Agency is urging people to ‘Prepare, Act, Survive’ by visiting the Floods Destroy website and do three things to prepare for flooding.
- check your postcode and find out if you are at risk of flooding
- sign-up for free flood warnings if you are at risk
- view and save the 3-point flood plan so you know how to ‘Prepare, Act, Survive’ in a flood