Supplementary Memorandum submitted by East Sussex County
Council (F55)
On giving oral evidence to the Agriculture Committee on 12
May on behalf of East Sussex County Council, I was asked to supply
a supplementary note concerning flood warning mechanisms.
I now attach, as requested, a note [Annex 1] prepared by
Ian Loughborough, the County Emergency Planning Officer. I also
enclose a copy of a letter [Annex 2] sent by the Regional General
Manager of the Environment Agency in August 1996 to all householders
in flood risk areas.
29 May 1998
Annex 1
Note by County Emergency Planning Officer
In September 1996 the Environment Agency took the lead role
in issuing flood warnings directly to people who live or work
in areas which may be at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea,
so that they can take action to protect themselves and their property.
The County Council works closely with the Environment Agency's
area and regional offices in order to help the Agency to carry
out this work, but it is the Agency which warns the public, sometimes
direct [by phone], but mostly through the media and teletext.
The Environment Agency maintains data on the number of warnings
issued and the time taken to disseminate these warnings, and the
Committee will need to address any questions on this matter to
the Agency.
Local Authorities all receive flood warnings direct from
the Agency's Regional Communications Centre. The action taken
by the authority will depend on the warning issued [Yellow, Amber
or Red] and the number and locations of the warnings. Actions
range from placing key staff on standby to issuing sandbags or
taking other measures to improve defences at any weak locations.
The response to any major emergency in East Sussex, including
potential or actual flooding, is a combined inter-agency response
based on the principles outlined in the Home Office Document "Dealing
with Disaster". All those involved, including the Environment
Agency and Local Authorities, work closely together on a day to
day basis to prepare for such events.
Annex 2
Letter from the Regional General Manager,
Environment Agency to all Householders in Flood Risk Areas
Dear HouseholderNEW FLOOD
WARNING SERVICE
From September 1996, the new Environment Agency takes the
lead role in issuing flood warnings directly to people who live
or work in areas which may be at risk of flooding from rivers
or the sea, so that they can take action to protect themselves
and their property.
One of the Environment Agency's many functions is to reduce
the risk of flooding. We do this by building river flood defences
and along the coast we maintain some sea defences protecting low
lying properties. We also monitor rainfall and sea conditions
24 hours a day, aiming to provide an early warning service when
flooding is likely. Over the next five years we plan to further
improve this service.
I am writing to you because your property is within an area
currently covered by an Agency Flood Warning System. If you live
or work near a river or the coast you should know how flood warnings
are issued and what to do if flooding occurs. Remember that even
sea walls and river banks can be breached during extreme rainfall
or rough seas. This does not mean that your property will definitely
be flooded, but you should be aware of the risk of flooding and
what to do if it occurs.
Enclosed you will find two leaflets. Please read them carefully
and keep in a safe place. One gives practical advice about what
to do when flooding occurs, the other contains a map and tells
you about the new service in your area. The maps give a number
for each river or coastal zone. The river zones are shown in purple,
while the coastal zones are in green, so you can identify the
zone which relates to your home or place of work.
The Environment Agency will issue coloured warnings—yellow,
amber and red—indicating the risk of flooding in any of
the zones shown on the map.
Most flood warnings will be broadcast on local radio, AA
Roadwatch, and on television. For more information on flood warnings
in force, you can also telephone Floodcall, our new 24 hour recorded
information service shown in the leaflet.
If you are in one of the orange areas on the map, your property
may be at higher risk of flooding, due to the land being particularly
low lying or the level of protection given by existing river banks
or sea defences. However, properties in low-lying coastal areas
outside the orange areas may still be at risk of flooding from
wind blown sea spray or waves breaking over the defences.
Having read through the leaflets, if you have any questions
about the information given or you would like further advice,
please call our Flood Warning Enquiry Line on 01903 83 22 83.
You can also use this number to get a leaflet about flood warnings
for people with special needs—including the deaf or hard
of hearing, blind or partially sighted, or if English is not your
first language. Copies may also be requested on behalf of other
members of the household or for a neighbour.
At the Environment Agency, we are committed to doing our
best to reduce the risk of flooding, but if it does happen, it
is your responsibility to ensure you know how warnings will be
issued and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your
property.
August 1996
| 
