Several members of the Collingham and Linton community have recently signed up to be a volunteer Flood Warden with the Environment Agency. This means that together Flood Wardens can better prepare our community for flooding. This includes understanding your flood risk, signing up the Environment Agency’s Flood Warning Service and most importantly knowing what to do when flooding is expected.
The Flood Wardens in our area are developing a community Flood Plan. This aims to make Collingham and Linton’s at flood risk residents better prepared for flooding. This means that the Flood Wardens in your area will have an action plan for when flooding is expected in our community.
The Flood Wardens in your area are also able to have direct contact with the Environment Agency’s Incident Room when flooding is expected. This means that Flood
Wardens can inform the Environment Agency what is happening on the ground which can inform the Environment Agency’s decisions for when to issue Collingham and Linton’s Flood Warnings for example. The Environment Agency can also use our local knowledge to help with having a more accurate Flood Warning Service and recovery after a flood incident too.
Important Water Safety Messages
Drowning – It only takes 6 inches/15cm of fast flowing water to sweep an adult off their feet! Please avoid walking through flood water
Submerged Hazards – Always ensure you can see the surface of the ground you are walking on as submerged hazards such as steps, curbs, loose drainage covers, mud and silt may cause you to lose your footing.
Do Not Drive Through Flood Water – This accounts for one third of all flood related deaths. I takes 2 feet/60cm to flat a car. It only takes an egg cup full of water to wreck an engine.
Contaminated Water – Flood Water is contaminated. To better protect yourself do the following:
- Cover all cuts and broken skin with waterproof plasters to avoid infection.
- Wash your hands in clean water or carry antibacterial hand wash to treat your hands
- Wear protective clothing such as waterproof gloves or waders.
- Seek medical advice immediately if you or anyone else is affected by diarrhoea, fever or abdominal pain.
Emergency Exit Routes – Flood water can continue to rise long after rainfall has ceased. Always consider an exit route and safe location to retreat to if necessary.
Electricity and Gas – After flood water recedes, electrical hazards may exist, do not turn on the power until it has been inspected by a qualified electrician. Also, flood water can damage the controls of gas appliances and safety features can become blocked, even if the gas controls appear to operate properly. Do not continue to use until inspected by a qualified gas engineer.
You can monitor the river levels of the River Wharfe and Collingham Beck on the Gov.uk website. You can do this by clicking on the following link https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels or simply by typing ’river levels online’ in your search engine and clicking on the Gov.uk link.
Useful LinksYorkshireFloodResilience@environment-agency.gov.uk
https://www.communitiesprepared.org.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
https://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/limiting-flood-risk-and-damage/