Volunteers recruited in Herefordshire village to help with flooding
The Community Flood Signage scheme is initially being piloted in the village of Orleton
A trial where local residents can close off roads if there's flooding- is being piloted in the village of Orleton in Herefordshire.
The scheme enables trained Flood Warden Volunteers to close a small stretch of road during a flood event to prevent vehicles driving though flood water, preventing accidents, breakdowns and damage to property.
It's taken it's lead from Nottinghamshire County Council who already run a successful Community Flood Signage Scheme. Initially being run as a trial scheme, it is hoped that the model can be rolled out to other communities within Herefordshire.
Ross Cook, Corporate Director for Economy and Environment, said: “By serving as a Community Flood Signage Volunteer, people can help their local areas at the most critical time – that of a flooding incident. Volunteers can safely close roads and prevent vehicles from driving through flood water, preventing accidents, help improve flood resilience, mitigate damage to property and help to protect the most vulnerable members of their community.
“Community Flood Signage Volunteers don’t need any previous experience, they simply need to attend a short training session and then a refresher course every three years. This will cover water safety, risk control, road safety and sign set up.”
Volunteers would need to attend a short training session covering water safety, risk control, road safety and sign set up.
If you would like to become a Community Flood Signage Volunteer, please email floodrisk@herefordshire.gov.uk to express your interest.