Flood Hub
Dear Members,
I am forwarding this question to all members -
this email was from our Parish Council Representative on the Jarvis Trust; Mr Andy Johnson.
As you can see Andy would be grateful to please let us know what your thoughts/needs are individually or collectively? So there can be a draft proposal written before 18th October.
Please respond to both Andy and myself before 22nd September - so it can be discussed at our next full Parish Council meeting.
I think it would be fair to assume if there is no response from anyone from the Letton Flood Hub perhaps we should disband the group as your needs have been met? I am sure that this is not the case.....
Many thanks. Rosie
Cut and pasted:-
Re: Letton Flooding
We have a Jarvis Charity meeting scheduled for 18th October, and it would be good to know before that if you have anything you wish to propose re flood funding. My impression would be that if I come back and say that I've heard nothing further from the parish, that that will lower the likelihood of a positive response to any later request, especially as that might then come in the potential flood season! Can the relevant people put their hats on and discuss any ideas with me ASAP?
Kind regards
Rosie Davidson
Letton Parish Councillor
& Chair of Kinnersley & District Group Parish Council
Prepare for a flood
Flooding can occur anywhere - you do not have to live near a river, stream or reservoir to be affected. This is because the drainage system, whether open watercourses or pipes, can become overwhelmed by the amount of water it is expected to carry. In addition, when the ground is saturated even small extra amounts of rainfall can have difficulty draining away from gardens and enclosed spaces. Owing to the nature of this type of flooding, it is very difficult to predict where it will happen.
Flooding can happen quickly and unexpectedly. There are things you can do to limit its impact on your property:
Personal flood plan
If you live in a flood risk area, do what you can now to prepare for a flood. Don't wait until it happens as you may not have time. The Environment Agency have created a personal flood plan which you can download, print and fill in
The personal flood plan includes a list of things you should do (like moving sentimental items to safety), and provides space for you to note down important contact details such as your utility companies and insurance
You may also want to think about developing a community resilience plan
Sandbags or flood barriers
Get sandbags or flood barriers in advance if you think your property may be at risk from flooding. The Environment Agency publishes a guide on how best to use them
We do not provide sandbags for individual domestic use. We may provide sandbags for strategic deployment during flooding - for the protection of essential services such as electricity or water supplies. When used correctly sandbags can provide some protection from flood waters. If you wish to keep a stock of sandbags, your local builders merchants should be able to help you. Your parish council may also have a supply of sandbags. Note that sandbags are only effective for water up to about 20cm/8" deep
Flood risk in your area
Check the latest weather forecast
If you live by a river or stream, keep a watch on current and expected water levels. You can see the actual water levels at different locations in the county
Monitor flood warnings and alerts for your area. Use the government's flood warning service
Sign up to get Flood Warnings from gov.uk by phone, email or text message
You can call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency on Twitter for the latest information
You can get more advice from the National Flood Forum on how to protect yourself and your property if a flood happens. The National Flood Forum also maintains the Blue Pages - an independent flood directory that lists a range of products and services that support delivery of property flood recoverability and resistance.
The Flood Guidance website incorporates guidance and advice from sources including insurers, government and other industry sectors
The Flood Hub has been designed to be a one stop shop for flood information and resources to support householders, businesses and communities across the North West in becoming more flood resilient
The Six Steps to Flood Resilience published by Manchester Metropolitan University’s ‘Smartest Project’, provides a step-by-step guide to the purchase, installation and use of property-level technologies
The updated 2020 Property Flood Resilience emagazine, written by Mary Dhonau,contains real life stories of how people have adapted their homes and businesses to make them resilient to future floods.
Household insurance - Flood Re scheme
Flood Re is a joint initiative between the Government and insurers. Its aim is to make the flood cover part of household insurance policies more affordable.
How Flood Re works leaflet (pdf)
It is important that people at high flood-risk in Herefordshire shop around for the best insurance policy. For more information visit the Flood Re website.
What to do in a flood
Floods are dangerous. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over, while two feet can sweep away your car.
If you are being flooded, put the safety of yourself and your family first. Dial 999 if you are or somebody else is in immediate danger and need rescuing.
For advice during a flood, refer to the government's Get help during a flood information.
DATE OF NEXT FLOOD HUB ZOOM MEETING: THURSDAY 4TH MARCH, 7.30PM
Ditch Clearance Guidelines for Herefordshire have been added to the Flood Hub
Click on the link at the bottom of this page
Click here for the Herefordshire Council Letter 28 January 2021
Click here for notes from the latest Flood Hub Meeting 4 December 2020
Click here for notes from the first Flood Hub Meeting 16 November 2020
Sign Up for Flood Warnings
https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
Or call Flood Line 0345 9881188 or 0845 9881188
Get Help during a flood
https://www.gov.uk/help-during-flood
During flooding we advise you:
Check in on vulnerable neighbours
Move people and pets upstairs or to a higher place with means of escape
Follow the advice of emergency services if they tell you to evacuate – you will be taken to a centre run by the local council and provided with food and bedding
If your home begins to flood, turn off your electricity supply, do not touch any sources of electricity when you are standing in flood water
Do not try to drive through standing water
Remain calm
For information on how to locate sandbags within your area, please see our sandbags guide. Check with Herefordshire Council if they will provide you with sandbags in advance, they may charge for this service.
https://www.hwfire.org.uk/assets/files/easandbagfloodprotectionadvice.pdf
(source: hwfire.org.uk)
Temporary Accommodation ?
List of local addresses
List of local places to safely park cars
Emergency Numbers:
Electric: 105
Gas: 0800 111 999
Water: 0800 052 0130
Sewers: 0800 085 3968
Sewage problems (Letton is in a Dwr Cymru Welsh Water area)
https://contact.dwrcymru.com/en
Power line: 0800 40 40 90
https://www.nationalgrideso.com/safety-and-emergencies
Clean Up After a Flood
List of Volunteers to help with clear up
List of Electricians / plumbers (pre-agreed hourly rate)
List of insurance companies insuring against floods
List of Skip providers (pre agreed pricing)
List of providers for industrial heaters / dehumidifiers
Pumping out water
Call your Local Fire Brigade
Eardisley or Kington Fire Station: 01432 347 339 (WM HQ)
or 0345 122 4454
https://www.hwfire.org.uk/about-us/the-fire-service/fire-stations/eardisley/
Safe use of water pumps during flooding
Business and home owners affected by flooding are urged not to use petrol or diesel water pumps in confined spaces. They can pose a significant safety risk and can lead to loss of life.
Petrol or diesel-fuelled generators used to power water pumps or other flood recovery devices are designed for outdoor use. They give off a variety of toxic gases including carbon monoxide fumes which can overcome people in the building or nearby areas if used in an enclosed space (e.g. a lounge).
We would urge people not to use them inside buildings or in areas without adequate ventilation.
If you would like further advice, please contact the Community Safety helpline on 0800 032 1155.
https://www.hwfire.org.uk/safety-and-advice/preparing-for-emergencies/floods/
Environment Agency
Incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60 (24hrs)
Flood line: 0845 988 1188
Enquiries: 08708 506 506 (Mon–Fri 8–6)
Email:
enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Funding for Support After the Flood
Herefordshire Council After the flood advice:
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200196/roads/345/flooding/3
After a flood
Financial support is available if you have been flooded, including flood recovery grants, Council Tax and business rates relief, and support for farmers. Find out about financial support after a flood and apply for grants Information
Property flood resilience grant
Central government has announced that flood-hit homes and businesses will be able to receive up to £5,000 to help protect them from future flooding. The grant is to fund property flood resilience measures which make the property less
Council Tax and business rate relief after flooding
For those households who have been awarded the £500 Community Flood Recovery Grant, we are arranging for three months of Council Tax discount to be automatically applied. Similarly, for those businesses who have been awarded the £2,500 Business Flood
Flood recovery grants
Community Flood Recovery Grant for residential properties
The grant is for £500 and paid direct to the household
Households are eligible where flood water has entered the habitable areas of the property, or the residence is considered unliveable for any period of time due to flooding
The grant does not apply to empty homes, second homes or student accommodation
Business Flood Recovery Grant for business premises
The grant is up to £2,500 per small / medium sized enterprises affected, as a grant paid direct to the enterprise
Enterprises are eligible where the enterprise is directly impacted or has directly suffered losses of as a result of the flooding that cannot be recovered from insurance
Charities, community groups, not for profit organisations, village hall committees, clubs (sporting and other types) and associations are eligible as long as they meet the definition of Enterprise in the context of small / medium sized businesses. These organisations must demonstrate their uninsured loss
Natural Flood Management grant
This project aims to reduce flood risk to local communities, as well as improve water quality and enhance biodiversity, using natural flood management processes. The NFM construction grant scheme has been designed to provide the necessary funding to help support landowners
Insurance
“FLOOD RE” an organisation set up to help homeowners in flood risk areas.
We work behind the scenes, taking on the high
flood risk elements of your home insurance. It works like this:
We collect an annual levy from home insurers each year.
Your insurer passes on the flood risk part of your policy to us, so you don’t have to do a thing.
If you make a valid claim on your insurance we’ll reimburse the insurer from the central Flood Re fund.
With this support from us, insurers should be able to provide affordable insurance, even on those homes which are most at risk as they no longer have to pay the cost of the flood claim.
You buy your home insurance as usual Insurers pay an annual levy that funds Flood Re
Insurers forward the risk and pay a premium to Flood Re
You make an eligible claim and your insurer pays out
“Flood Re” reimburses valid claims to insurers
https://www.floodre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FloodRe_leaflet_DL_England_June18.pdf
NOTE:
Most Insurance companies are now part of this “Flood Re” Scheme. When contacting insurance companies for quotes ask if they belong to the “Flood Re Scheme” of Insurers before getting quote, may save a lot of wasted time! Here is a few insurance companies/brokers that provide insurance for Flood At Risk homes, this list is by no means an exhaustive list.
Direct Line –
https://www.directline.com/search
However, if your home (including your land) has been flooded during the last 10 years, please contact our Customer Service team to discuss your requirements. It's worth noting that Direct Line is part of the government backed Flood Re scheme.
Much Ado – 01789 508900
https://www.muchadoinsurance.co.uk/services/flood-risk/
The Home Insurer - 0800 612 5764
https://thehomeinsurer.co.uk/flood-insurance-4/
Ryburn – 01422 842984