Council to publish a flood action plan

2:30pm Friday 18th July 2008

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THE emergency planning team at Bury Council is devising a new action plan to tackle areas which face the risk of flooding in extreme circumstances.

Officials from the Environment Agency have highlighted vulnerable locations and these include parts of Ramsbottom, west of Bury town centre, and areas of Redvales and Radcliffe.

Emergency planning manager Nick Folkes said: “Bury has so far managed to escape the worst of the floods in recent years so we have been incredibly lucky in comparison to some areas in the country.

“But in January this year we did experience the worst flood we have known in over 10 years. The flooding that we suffered in Radcliffe taught us some valuable lessons which are now fully incorporated into the emergency action plans.”

The plans will be ready for implementation by the end of the year, and have also been drawn up in response to the interim Pitt Report, which pinpointed 15 key recommendations which councils and other organisations should adopt.

Nick explained: “The big difference that these new plans will make is that we are now better equipped to help the vulnerable people within the communities affected in an emergency.

“The changes will mean that residents are identified very early on in an emergency and either removed to a place of safety as appropriate or supported in their homes by the council.”

Executive member for safe and secure communities Sam Cohen said: “We are really pleased that we are now ahead of the game in terms of emergency planning.

“No-one wants to be involved in a major incident but we have to accept that sometimes, these things happen which we cannot predict or control.

The best we can do is be totally prepared for when it happens.”

Flood advice from the emergency planning team: Before the flood: 1. Make sure your insurance policy is up to date 2. Keep a stock of sandbags (available from DIY shops) 3. Check the environment agency website to see if your home is in a known flood risk area During the flood: 1. Turn off the gas 2. Turn off the electricity 3. Disconnect items that connect to the waste water system such as the dishwasher and washing machine, as water can back up and flood your home 4. Put plugs in sinks (for the same reason) 5. Put a sandbag in the toilet if you have one (again to prevent water backing up from the sewer) 6. Move valuables upstairs 7. Check on vulnerable neighbours 8. If you venture outside, beware of loose manhole covers which may have been displaced 9. Never enter fast flowing flood waters. Nine inches of flood water can be enough to float a vehicle.

After the flood: 1. Beware that the flood may have contaminated surfaces with sewage 2. Throw away exposed food 3. Do not use electrical appliances until they have been checked by an electrician 4. Take photographs of the damage for your insurance company 5. Follow the advice on the Environment Agency's website