Flood Alerts - Are You Prepared

Posted on December 21, 2012

As rain is expected to continue to fall over the next few days the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum members will be out and about to ensure you are kept up to date with any flooding news in your area.

Several flood alerts have been put into place within the county by the Environment Agency which includes the Great Ouse at Newport Pagnell to Turvey in Buckinghamshire and from Sharnbrook through Bedford to Wyboston.

Surface water is the biggest problem at the moment and Bedfordshire Police together with the Highways Agency are warning motorists to take extra care as they make their journeys throughout the weekend and over the festive period.

Motorists are also advised to keep an eye on weather forecasts and be prepared to change their journey plans if necessary. As the wet weather subsides motorist should also be extra vigilant as temperatures drop and possible black ice forms on road surfaces.

Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Richer, who is leading the Resilience Forum response, said: "A meeting of the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum, including emergency services and local authorities, was held today (Dec 21) to make sure all preparations for monitoring the water levels and warning the public are in place.

"All agencies are ensuring that they have enough resources available to deal with any flooding over the holiday period when traditionally most staff are on leave. With further heavy rain expected on Saturday and again at the beginning of next week be assured all members of the forum will continue to work closely together to monitor the situation regularly through the festive period."

He added: "The people of Bedfordshire are no strangers to the threat of flooding but now is the time when residents living in the areas that have previously flooded should take some precautionary measures by visiting the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum website where they can keep up to date with the latest advice and also access the Environment Agency website for further advice and news."

For further information householders can call the Floodline on 0845 9881188 which gives the latest state of flood alerts, and for advice on what preparations to make can visit the resilience forum website www.bllrf.org.uk.