Environment Agency Wales has been speaking face-to face with people in Conwy, in a bid to help them understand and manage their flood risk. As a result, just under 80 per cent of those spoken with have agreed to take practical action to be better prepared.
Officers from the Agency’s Flood Awareness Wales team have spoken directly with over 3000 householders and businesses at risk of flooding in Kinmel Bay, Llanfairtalhaearn, Towyn, and Pensarn.
The Agency says that of those spoken with nearly 90 per cent are now more aware of the practical actions to take to prepare for flooding to minimise its impact. And just under 80 per cent have committed to taking action to reduce their flood risk such as completing a personal flood plan. Additional properties at risk of flooding in these areas will be further targeted in the future when the Agency seeks to engage with the wider community as part of its Flood Awareness programme.
As part of the Flood Awareness Wales campaign, launched in June this year, Agency officers are visiting communities across Wales, like those in Conwy, at risk of flooding.
The Agency has almost finished its £2 million scheme to ‘top up’ the floodbanks on the Clwyd which protects Towyn and Kinmel Bay. Such schemes are designed to reduce the risk of flooding, but the Agency cannot eliminate the risk of all future flooding so it is important for communities to be prepared.
The officers provide advice about flood risk and encourage local people to complete personal flood plans and flood kits for use in emergencies, as well as providing information on practical measures that can be taken now to prepare for a flood.
To date the campaign has visited over 10,000 properties in north Wales to help raise awareness of flood risk and how to be prepared.
Leading FAW officer for north Wales Philip Jones said “We want people to be aware that although flooding cannot be completely prevented, there are things that they can do in advance to help reduce the devastating impact it can have. We’ve still got properties at risk in these areas that we want to engage with in the future. The message is simple – don’t be the only one who isn’t prepared.”
You can find out if your property is at risk by calling Floodline 0845 988 1188 or visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwales.
“If you are at risk find out if you are able to sign up to receive free advance warning of flooding from rivers and the sea by calling Floodline or visiting our website. We also encourage people to create a personal flood plan containing important information you would need during a flood such as insurance policy numbers, locations of gas, electricity and water mains and emergency contact numbers, and we recommend you keep this somewhere safe and easy to reach in a waterproof folder. You can also survey your home to identify the ways in which floodwater may enter. Sandbags and plastic sheets can be kept to hand to put in front of the entrances to your property, or you could purchase flood boards for a more permanent method of prevention”, added Philip.
Visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwales to download a personal flood plan, view a short film providing a step to step guide of the practical actions needed to prepare for a flood and for further information about what to do before, during and after.
Darren Millar AM for Clwyd West said: “The threat of flooding is never far away for those of us living and working on the coast in North Wales. Having had personal experience of the floods in Towyn 20 years ago, I know only too well how devastating flooding can be. I welcome Environment Agency Wales’ ‘Flood Awareness Wales’ campaign which will help homes and businesses prepare to take appropriate action to minimise the risk and impact of flooding. A number of communities in Clwyd West are at risk of flooding and I would urge everyone to take action to be prepared.”
‘Flood Awareness Wales’ is a Welsh Assembly Government funded project.
