Communities in Cheshire and Merseyside to receive new flood warning service

The Environment Agency has announced that they'll be offering a new flood warning service to communities that fall within the Tue Brook Catchment in north east Liverpool as well as the River Weaver at Mill Lane and Weaver Park Industrial Estate, Cheshire West.

The new flood warnings will come into effect from 18th August, covering more than 200 properties.

Flood Warnings tell people about an imminent risk of flooding to their home or business and help people make informed decisions about how to respond. There are three types of warning – Flood Alert, Flood Warning and Severe Flood Warning.

Householders are encouraged to prepare if they receive a Flood Alert which could mean packing a bag that includes medicines, insurance documents and anything else they wouldn't want to lose if flooding were to take place. A Flood Warning calls on people to act now which means turning off gas, water and electricity and moving family and pets to safety. A Severe Flood Warning means you are in immediate danger and to follow advice from emergency services.

Ollie Hope, Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Cheshire and Merseyside said:

“We know the devastating impact that flooding can have, which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority. 

“However, the climate emergency means we cannot prevent all flooding – so we’re working to make communities more resilient. We want to ensure that everyone has as much time as possible to prepare which is why we're pleased that people in the Tue Brook and River Weaver catchments will now be able to receive our free flood warning service."

Additional funding from the Government has enabled the Environment Agency to invest in the latest technology and infrastructure needed to provide a flood warning service in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire and over 200 other communities across England.

In total an additional 62,000 properties at risk of flooding will receive Flood Warnings between now and the end of 2022. It is an important part of the implementation of the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy to better protect businesses and homes from flooding and create climate resilient places.

Home and business owners will be auto enrolled to the Flood Warning service via their mobile network. However, to get the most benefit out of the service the Environment Agency is encouraging people to register directly with them by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or visiting:

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings 

where they can register preferred contact details. 

Costs related to flooding

•       5.2 million properties in England are at risk of flooding

•       The average cost of flood damage to a home is £30,000

•       The average cost of flooding to a business is £82,000

•       If you are flooded, temporary accommodation costs on average £10,000

•       If you are flooded you are likely to be out of your home for an average of 5 months

•       Know what to do when you receive a flood warning and download our three point flood plan:

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/what-to-do-in-a-flood

Flood and Coastal Erosion Investment Plan

•       Homes and businesses in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire are to be better protected from flooding and coastal erosion as part of plans published by the government and Environment Agency, with £42.8m invested in more than 50 schemes in 2020/21.

•       The investment is part of plans outlining £5.2 billion of investment over the next six years in England. More than £860 million will be spent in 2021/22 boosting design and construction of more than 1,000 schemes across England as part of the Environment Agency’s annual capital programme. 

•       The delivery of the new schemes follows the successful delivery of the previous programme. The government invested £2.6 billion in new flood defences through this programme – surpassing its target of better protecting 300,000 homes between 2015 and 2021. The new schemes will be an important part of the implementation of the government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Policy Statement and the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy.