Cheshire Resilience - Preparing for emergencies

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  • Severe Weather, Flooding and Drought
  • Protecting yourself
  • Emergency Grab Bag
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  • How to protect your home this winter
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Severe weather, flooding and drought

Severe weather is not only flooding and heavy rainfall but high winds, snow and ice, heat waves and many more. Local and national TV and radio reports should give you advance warning of severe weather.

Environmenmt Agency 3 Day Flood Risk Forecast - follow link

Met Office 5 Day Forecast - follow link

Parts of Cheshire are at risk of flooding. Follow link for more details.

Flooding
Environment Agency Launches  New Flood Warning areas

The Environment Agency has recently developed  new flood warning areas for the Cheshire  Area. 
These areas include the River Weaver at Nantwich, Lakeside View,  River Bollin and Agden Brook at Little Bollington, Rivacre Brook at Great Sutton, River Weaver at Pickerings Bridge and River Bollin at Heatley.

Homeowners and businesses within the above areas may be eligible to  sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct
(FWD) which is a free government service that gives you advance warning of flooding in your area.
This is by an automated message sent to your  phone, text message, email, pager or fax. The Environment Agency is urging homes and businesses in the above areas to check whether they are eligible for this service and to sign up for the free Floodline Warnings Direct service.

To find out if you’re at risk of flooding and if you can receive these warnings call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodnorthwest

Information is also available on the Environment Agency’s website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood.

What can I do to protect myself and others from flooding?

• Find out if you are in an area at risk of flooding.
• GO IN, STAY IN, TUNE IN
• Make up a flood kit.
• Move valuables, food and possessions to a safe place e.g upstairs or first floor of your home.
• Make a flood plan

Flash Flooding

A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low lying areas, caused by heavy rain, sometimes associated with a thunderstorm. Flash flooding occurs when the ground becomes saturates with water that has fallen too quickly to be absorbed.

Be aware of flood hazards, especially if you live in a low lying area, near water or downstream.

• If there is a possibility of a flash flood occurring, move immediately to higher ground – Do not wait for instruction to move
• Listen to the local radio and television stations for local information, if possible.
• Be aware of streams, drainage channels and areas known to flood suddenly.
• Stay away from flood waters as they could be contaminated.
• Do not drive into flooded areas.
• If Local Authorities issue a flood warning – Prepare to evacuate:

• Secure your home.
• Fill your car with fuel.
• If instructed, turn off utilities at main switches. Disconnect electrical appliances but do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

Driving in severe weather

•  Stopping distances are at least double in wet conditions compared to dry conditions.
• Reduce your speed.
• Visibility may be reduced, due to surface spray.
• Keep well back from the vehicle in front of you.
• If steering becomes unresponsive slow down gradually.
• Be aware of spilt diesel on wet roads, it will make the surface very slippery.
• Always adjust your driving to suit the conditions during periods of snow
  and icy conditions and always wear appropriate footwear to avoid slipping
  over.
• Beware of black ice which may not be visible.

Before the thunderstorm

• Unplug all non-essential appliances, including the TV as lightening can cause power surges.
• Seek shelter if possible.
• When you can hear thunder, you are already within range of where the next ground flash may occur, lightning can strike as far away as 10 miles from the centre of the storm! 
• Avoid using telephones, both land line and mobile phones.
• Avoid using taps and sinks. Metal pipes can conduct electricity.
• If you are outside, avoid water and try to find a low-lying place a safe distance way from trees, poles or metal objects.
• Avoid activities such as golf, rod fishing or boating on a lake.

If you find yourself in an exposed location, squat close to the ground, with hands on   
knees and your head tucked between them. Try to touch as little of the ground with your body as possible, don’t lie down on the ground. If you feel your hair stand on end, drop to the above position immediately

How to keep warm in winter?

The following offers a simple guide to keeping warm in winter.

• Keep your home warm

If you can’t heat all your rooms heat the living room during the day and the bedroom during the night. An electric blanket or hot water bottle will help to keep you warm, but never use them together as you could electrocute yourself.

If you do use an electric blanket make sure it’s safe by getting it tested every three years. Also check what type it is as some are designed only to warm the bed before you get in and should not be used throughout the house.

• Dress Warmly

Wear plenty of thin layers and one really thick one on the outside, and put on a coat, gloves, hat, scarf and warm shoes when you go outside. Stay warm in bed with bed socks, thermal underwear and a nightcap.

• Check heaters are safe

Carbon monoxide kills more than 50 people each year in England and Wales. You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, so the best way to protect yourself is to have all gas cooking and heating appliances, and chimneys serviced regularly.