Wiltshire Council reminds people at risk of flooding to be prepared

Following heavy rain over the weekend, a very wet few months and more heavy rain forecast this week, Wiltshire Council is reminding people in areas at risk of flooding to ensure they are prepared.

Anyone who may be at risk of river, surface water or groundwater flooding should ensure they have a personal flood plan, that know what to do in the event of a flood, and that they are signed up for Environment Agency flood alerts.

There are currently several Environment Agency flood warnings in place for both groundwater and river flooding, along with weather warnings of heavy rain, and people should be prepared.

The council works closely with the Environment Agency, water companies, and town and parish councils through its network of flood wardens to ensure communities are as resilient as possible, and to help them prepare effectively. Flood wardens create and maintain a parish's flood plans, listing areas of high risk and vulnerable people within the parish, and can access flood resilience equipment such as sandbags, gel sacks, signs and pumps to support their local community.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Flooding, said: Climate change is bringing wetter weather to Britain, and in Wiltshire we are seeing increased rainfall in the county, more weather warnings and more properties at risk of flooding.

It is vitally important that people are adequately prepared and know what to do in the event of a flood. People should ensure they are registered for Environment Agency flood alerts, and they can notify us of any flooding incidents or weather emergencies through our MyWilts app or website.

We have been working closely with town and parish councils and flood wardens to ensure they are fully prepared and equipped with emergency supplies such as sandbags. However, we must not become complacent regarding the risk of flooding.

To find out more, people can use these links:

• Flooding information
• Property flood resilience (opens new window)
• National Flood Forum (opens new window)
• National Flood Forum business advice (opens new window)
• Property Care (opens new window)
• Sign up for flood warnings (opens new window)
• Flooding emergencies - Who to contact
• What to do during and after a flood
• Flooding advice for homeowners
• Flooding advice for businesses
• Sandbags information