People living in Herefordshire and Worcestershire urged to know their flood risk
It's part of the Environment Agency 'Flood Action Week'
Last updated 21st Nov 2023
Households across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being told to 'get to know their flood risk' after record breaking weather over the last few months.
The Environment Agency in the West Midlands have launched a Flood Action Week to get people across the region prepared for even more extreme weather this Winter.
According to the Met Office, Storm Babet saw the third-wettest three-day period for England and Wales since 1891, while the Midlands recorded it's wettest ever three-day period.
The Environment Agency issued 162 flood warnings across the West Midlands during Storms Babet and Ciaran, which reached more than 21,800 homes.
Over 150 homes were flooded, and we're told more than 16,700 homes were protected through the Environment Agencies work.
With just 30cm of flowing water being enough to float a car, drivers are warned to take extra precautions in wet weather and not to attempt to drive through flood water.
More than 100 Environment Agency staff were involved in the ground response to the storms in the West midlands and 41 assets were in operation including temporary flood barriers and high-volume pumps.
The Environment Agency are now asking people to take steps to prepare for flooding, which they say can reduce the change of losing treasured items.
Key things they are asking people to do are:
- Take steps to protect yourself from future flooding
- Sign up for flood warnings by phone, text or email
- Check your long-term flood risk from rivers, the sea, surface water, reservoirs and groundwater
Nick Green from the Environment Agency in the West Midlands tells us "We had lots of calls (during Storm Babet) of people being stranded in their motor vehicles, in country roads, driving through flood waters and the flood waters being incredibly deep and fast moving.
"There were impacts right along the River Severn."
He has this advice: " Move vehicles from your drive ways into safer locations and just basically be aware of what the risk is. After Babet and Ciaran people will have a really good idea and understand the impacts that they (storms) can have."
"Make sure you build on those foundations and make sure you keep all of your valuables in a safe location"