here you can find it in an emergency

EA-South West/€&£

Sidm outh Flood Plan

E n v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y

NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE

SOUTH WEST REGION

Manley House, Kestrel Way, EX2 7LQ

I >=*orri i -*■"< / o ' - ^ blic Information Leaflet Supported by: THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY TOWN COUNCIL EAST DISTRICT COUNCIL DEVON AND CORNWALL CONSTABULARY InnHlinp 845 9881188 VIRONMENT AGENCY

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has a history of flooding and major Sidmouth is at risk of flooding from rainfall over a short period as Sidmouth is also at risk from the sea possibility that extremely severe river channel improvements and bank Why Sidmouth might flood the River Sid. Flooding is likely to caused be by prolonged heavy rainfall a saturated on catchment, or intense occasionally experienced during summer thunderstorm activity. during a combination of high spring have put together a joint plan to deal Sidmouth. Plans are also in place for conditions will overwhelm the defences and flood low-lying parts of the town. No defence can giveabsolute protection, it can only the reduce risk of flooding. other locations across the South West. defences were carried out following the 1968 flood. Tidal defences consisting of sea walls and rock armour tide breaks protect the townagainst tidal flooding. The defences tides, low pressure and on-shore gales causing large wave action. The town ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT AGENCY will protect the town from most Agency and the Emergency Services BACKGROUND F l n n0845 r i i n p floods, however, there remains a The Local Authorities, the Environment with the possibility of flooding in

IMPORTANT: The following RESIDENTS INFORMATION SIDMOUTH Front cover: Mill Street, Sidmouth, important that you read this leaflet so that you are aware unlikely that flooding will be alarmed. However it is areas of the arrangements people living in flood risk information is to advise FLOOD PLAN 22 October 1960 and what help will be to deal with a flood. It is occur and you should not of what could happen, what that have been put in place available. you can do to limit damage ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A FLOOD? Why is a Flood Plan required ? There are approximately 250 properties at risk of flooding in Sidmouth. Flood defences reduce the likelihood of properties flooding but they do not completely stop it. For the rare occasions when an extreme storm overwhelms the top of a defence, it is important that properties previously protected, are given a flood warning and that arrangements are in place so that Emergency Services and Local Authorities can provide effective assistance. People living in areas protected by flood defences should be just as prepared, as those who are at risk of flooding on a more frequent basis. Householders also have an important part to play in the overall plan. By taking a few basic precautions and being prepared to act promptly on | Plan of Sidmoutli receiving a warning, residents can considerably reduce the damage □ Area at risk and stress which flooding can cause.

What will the Flood Plan cover ? • The Environm ent Agency issues It is a joint plan, agreed by flood warnings District Council, Devon County • The Police take an overall co­ Emergency Planning, Police, Fire ordination role and advise on the Service, Sidmouth Town Council and need to evacuate the Environment Agency. Details of the • The Local Authority prepares rest plan can be viewed in the local library, centres in case evacuation is at Local Authority offices or at the necessary Environment Agency offices at • Highway Authorities post road Exminster. closure signs • Fire Service and Local Authorities In simple terms, the plan indicates: provide assistance to deal with flooding.

To find out if your property is in an area at risk of flooding call - FLOODLINE 0845 988 1188 or check on the Environment Agency Website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood SUMMARY OF INFORMATION

Flood Risk - Understand why areas of Direct Flood Warning Service Sidmouth might flood and check if your Flood warnings will be issued directly to property is in an area which might flood. properties at risk of flooding in Sidmouth using local radio and TV and various Be Prepared - Know what to do : other means such as loud hailer and a leaflet drop. BEFORE A FLOOD Other Local Flood Warning • Check insurance • Plan how to protect your property Information • Know how flood warnings will be issued All flood warnings are serious. They are broadcast on local TV and radio during news, weather and traffic reports. Keep DURING A FLOOD tuned to local radio for updates on the • Alert neighbours and assist the elderly or flooding situation. infirm In your area you should listen to: • Move people, pets and valuables to safety • BBC Radio Devon - • Have spare warm clothing, a torch, a 103.4/96/95.8/94.8 FM battery powered radio and waterproofs • Gemini Radio - 96.4 / 97 FM to hand • Orchard FM - 96.5/97.1/102.6 FM • Keep up to date with flood warnings on local radio You can also keep informed by checking • Put flood boards in place or contact the ITV teletext on page 154; Ceefax 419. local council who may be able to help Live Flood Warning Pages on the you locate a supply of sandbags • Switch off gas and electricity supplies if Internet flooding is imminent www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood • Do not enter deep or fast flowing water Flood Warning Information Line - think safety I For recorded information about current • Take police advice on the need to evacuate. flood warnings in your area ring FLOODLINE on 0845 988 1188 and follow the recorded instructions. If you AFTER A FLOOD have a touch tone phone, you can • Do not eat food which has been in obtain information for your area more contact with floodwater quickly if you key in the Quick Dial code • Check gas, electricity and water supplies when asked to do so. and equipment for safety before use The Quick Dial code for the River Sid is • Contact your insurers 042144 and for the South Devon Coast • Ventilate your property 04222. Listen out for severe flood • Beware rogue repairmen. warnings for the River Sid and the South Devon Coast at Sidmouth. FlnnHlinp 0845 9881188

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY -3/03-500-C-BHBK SW Printed on 100% recycled paper THE FLOOD WARNING SERVICE FOR SIDMOUTH SIDMOUTH FOR SERVICE WARNING FLOOD THE The flood warning service is run by the therefore a public warning will not be Environment Agency. It warns of the risk necessary. of flooding from the flood banks and Possibility off ffalse w arnings walls overtopping. It cannot warn for Flood warning is not an exact science. In surface w ater flooding due to localised deciding when to issue flood warnings blocked drains. Warnings are based on the Environment Agency has to balance upstream river levels on the Sid, the need for giving the public sufficient monitored at . Tidal flood time to protect their property, against predictions for Sidmouth are based on the need to reduce the possibility of astronomical tide heights taken from POL issuing false alarms. Public warnings will and Admiralty tide tables, and forecasts only be issued as a result of very severe of surges and wave heights predicted by weather conditions and indications that the Met Office. The Devonport tide the flood banks will overtop. gauge is monitored via telemetry in the Environment Agency's Flood Warning Other causes of flooding in Offices in Exeter and Exminster to assist Sidmouth predictions on the South Devon coast. • Heavy rain could also cause drains and gullies to be overwhelmed, i.e. Warnings to the public at risk surface water flooding A Flood warning will be issued to It is not possible to provide warnings properties at risk of flooding using a for local flooding from surface water. variety of methods, such as loud hailers and a leaflet drop, when there is a LOCAL RADIO STATIONS who will strong likelihood that the flood broadcast flood warnings and defences will overtop. The Environment updated flood information. Agency will aim to issue the public • BBC Radio Devon - warning at least two hours prior to the 103.4/96/95.8/94.8 FM expected onset of flooding. At Sidmouth, • Gemini Radio - 96.4 / 97 FM the amount of advance warning of • Orchard FM - 96.5/97.1/102.6 FM flooding is likely to be: Flood warnings on TV - I TV Teletext • Tide- could be four to six hours. page 154, Ceefax page 419 • River Sid - could be as little as one Flood warnings on the Internet: hour. www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood Warnings will also be broadcast by local FLOOD WARNING INFORMATION radio and TV, although the effectiveness LINE FLOODLINE 0845 988 1188 of these will depend on the time of day Call this number and select the recorded of the flood. information service, for all current flood Warnings to Emergency Services warnings in force. When prompted - use and Local Authorities the Quick Dial code 042144 for the The Environment Agency will alert Local Rivers Otter and Sid and listen out for a Authorities and the Emergency Services severe flood warning for the River Sid. when there is a possibility of the You can hear warnings for the South defences overtopping. This notification Devon Coast by using the Quick Dial will be in advance of a public warning code 04222. Listen out for a severe flood being issued and will enable these warning on the South Devon Coast at services to make preparations for dealing Sidmouth. with a possible flood. Such alerts may Call FLOODLINE to receive free guides, not be followed by a public warning leaflets and advice including information being issued. On some occasions, river levels will begin to fall and tide levels on flooding provided by Local may not reach the levels predicted - Authorities in Devon. HOUSEHOLDERS RESPONSIBILITIES What should householders who live in the flood risk area do ?

Insurance: For more information ? Check that your household contents and Visit the flood warning pages of the buildings insurance covers you against Environment Agency website at flooding. One of the greatest causes of www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood stress experienced by people who have or flooded is due to lack of adequate Call FLOODLINE 0845 988 11 88 - to insurance. Research has shown that obtain a Floodpack of information and about 20% of properties are advice on how to be prepared. inadequately insured - please do not be one of these. KNOW WHAT TO DO IF A FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED: Flood protection measures: Consider the idea of installing flood • Act promptly board slots in doorways. Although the • Alert neighbours and assist the need to use them is very remote, they elderly or infirm • Move people, pets and valuables can be more effective than sandbags and to safety quicker and easier to handle. Be aware of • Have spare warm clothing, a torch, other access points where water could a battery powered radio and enter your property, i.e. air bricks and waterproofs to hand how you could block these. • Keep up to date with flood What do you value? warnings on local radio Assess what belongings, furniture and • Put flood boards in place or fittings may be at risk on the ground contact the local council who may floor. Consider what damage might be be able to help you locate a supply done and whether it would be possible of sandbags to move items to prevent damage. You • Switch off gas and electricity supplies if flooding is imminent may decide to store certain items of • Do not enter deep or fast flowing sentimental value and important water - think safety ! documents upstairs. Decide what is • Take police advice on the need to important to you and have a plan of evacuate. action.

Know how warnings will be issued. IF FLOODING HAS OCCURRED Read the section on the Direct Flood • Do not eat food which has been in Warning Service in this leaflet. This will contact with floodwater tell you how warnings will be issued and • Check gas, electricity and water where information can be obtained to supplies and equipment for safety keep you updated. - before use Keep this leaflet in a safe place for • Contact your insurers • Ventilate your property - less damp future reference. means less damage • Avoid contact with floodwater - it may be contaminated • Beware rogue repairmen or traders who may visit after a flood. ■