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Bideford -lood Plan © E n v i r o n m e n t A g e n c y

NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE

SOUTH WEST REGION

Manley House, Kestrel Way, Exeter EX2 7LQ

ublic Information Leaflet Supported by: TH E ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL TORRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL ;lnnrllinp ENVIRONMENT AGENCY 845 9881188 JVIRONMENT AGENCY 108738 9881188

town of Bideford is situated on the ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ENVIRONMENT Bideford. Plans are also in place for have put together a joint plan to deal possibility that extremely severe Flnnrilinp 0845 absolute protection, it can only reduce other locations across the South West. reservoir on the Kenwith Stream. The most floods, however, there remains a defences and flood low-lying parts the of town. No defence can give the risk of flooding. Agency and the Emergency Services with the possibility of flooding in defence will protect the town from conditions will overwhelm the The Local Authorities, the Environment to insufficient culvert capacity throughthe town. In addition, duringtides, high flooding has occurred throughtide locking. Bideford is defended fluvialfrom flooding by a flood storage Barnstaple. Bideford is at risk of Kenwith Stream and from the tide in approximately 11 kilometres west of the Torridge Estuary. Why Bideford might flood The town has a history of flooding due flooding from the River Torridge, the The The west bank of the Torridge Estuary, BACKGROUND

12 June June 12 1993 Front cover: Elmdale Road, Bideford, and what help will be be alarmed. However it is leaflet so that you are aware of what could happen, what important that you read this unlikely that flooding will occur and you should not to deal with a flood. It is you can do to limit damage IMPORTANT: The following people living in flood risk RESIDENTS INFORMATION information is to advise areas of the arrangements that have been put in place BIDEFORD FLOOD PLAN ARE YOU PREPARED FORAffcOOD? W hy is a Flood Plan required ? There are approximately 900 properties at risk of flooding in Bideford. 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 receiving a warning, residents can considerably reduce the damage and stress which flooding can cause.

What will the Flood Plan cover ? The Environm ent Agency issues It is a joint plan, agreed by Torridge flood warnings District Council, Devon County The Police take an overall co­ Emergency Planning, Police, Fire ordination role and advise on the Service, Bideford 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 Bideford 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 Bideford using local radio and TV and various Be Prepared - Know what to do : other means such as siren, loud hailer BEFORE A FLOOD and a leaflet drop.

• Check insurance Other Local Flood Warning • 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 • Lantern FM - 97.3/96.2 to hand • Pirate FM - 102.2 • 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 ! 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 North • Contact your insurers Devon Coast is 04221, listen out for a • Ventilate your property severe flood warning for the North • Beware rogue repairmen. Devon Coast at Bideford. Use the Quick Dial code 042123 for North Devon Rivers to listen out for a severe flood warning for the River Torridge and the FlnnHlinp Kenwith Stream. 0845 9881188

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY SW k-C-BHBI -3/03-1 Printed on 100% recycled paper THE FLOOD WARNING SERVICE FOR BIDEFORD BIDEFORD FOR SERVICE WARNING FLOOD THE The flood warning service is run by the and tide levels may not reach the levels Environment Agency. It warns of the risk predicted - therefore a public warning of flooding from the flood banks and will not be necessary. walls overtopping, it cannot warn for Possibility of false warnings surface water flooding due to localised Flood warning is not an exact science. In blocked drains. Warnings are based on deciding when to issue flood warnings upstream river levels monitored at the Environment Agency has to balance Kenwith Valley. Tidal flood predictions for the need for giving the public sufficient Bideford are based on astronomical tide time to protect their property, against the heights taken from Admiralty tide tables need to reduce the possibility of issuing and forecasts of surges and wave heights false alarms. Public warnings will only be predicted by the Met Office. Tide gauges issued as a result of very severe weather at Padstow and Ilfracombe are monitored conditions and indications that the flood in the Environment Agency's Flood defences will overtop. Warning Offices in Exeter and Exminster to assist predictions on the North Devon Other causes of flooding in coast. Bideford • Heavy rain could also cause drains Warnings to the public at risk and gullies to be overwhelmed, i.e. A Flood warning will be issued to surface water flooding properties at risk of flooding using a It is not possible to provide warnings variety of methods, such as loud hailers for local flooding from surface water. and a leaflet drop, when there is a strong likelihood that the flood defences will LOCAL RADIO STATIONS who will overtop. The Environment Agency will broadcast flood warnings and aim to issue the public warning at least updated flood information. two hours prior to the expected onset of • BBC Radio Devon - flooding. The amount of advance 103.4/96/95.8/94.8 FM warning of flooding is likely to be: • Lantern FM - 97.3/96.2 • Pirate FM - 102.2 • Tide/Torridge - six hours with a reasonable degree of confidence; two Flood warnings on TV - I TV Teletext hours with certainty page 154, Ceefax page 419 • Kenwith Stream - from two hours Flood warnings on the Internet: upwards. The automatic flood www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood warning siren has been installed to give the earliest practicable warning. FLOOD WARNING INFORMATION LINE FLOODLINE 0845 988 1188 Warnings will also be broadcast by local Call this number and select the recorded radio and TV, although the effectiveness information service, for all current flood of these will depend on the time of day warnings in force. When prompted - use of the flood. the Quick Dial code 042123 for North Warnings to Emergency Services Devon Rivers and listen out for a severe and Local Authorities flood warning on the Kenwith Stream at The Environment Agency will alert Local Bideford. You can hear warnings for the Authorities and the Emergency Services North Devon Coast by using the Quick when there is a possibility of the defences Dial code 04221. Listen out for a severe overtopping. This notification will be in flood warning for the North Devon Coast advance of a public warning being issued at Bideford. and will enable these services to make Call FLOODLINE to receive free guides, preparations for dealing with a possible leaflets and advice including information flood. Such alerts may not be followed by on flooding provided by Local Authorities a public warning being issued. On some in Devon. occasions, river levels will begin to fall

- to 1188 Beware rogue repairmen or traders may be contaminated means less damage who may visit after a flood. Do not eat food which has been in Avoid contact with floodwater - it Contact your insurers Check gas, electricity and watersupplies and equipment for safety - before use Ventilate your property - less damp Switch off gas and electricity Do not enter deep or fast flowing contact with floodwater Put flood boards in place or be able to help you locate a supply evacuate. of of sandbags supplies if flooding is imminent water - think safety ! Take police advice on the need to Keep up to date with flood contact the local council who may Have spare warm clothing, a torch, a a battery powered radio and Move people, pets and valuables waterproofs to hand warnings on local radio to safety elderly or infirm Act promptly Alert neighbours and assist the IF FLOODING HAS OCCURRED KNOW WHAT TO DO IF A FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED: advice on how to be prepared. Environment Agency website at Call FLOODLINE 0845 988obtain a Floodpack of information and or For more information ? www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood Visit the flood warning pages of the Keep this leaflet in a safe place for future reference. Know how warningsRead the will section on be the issued. Direct Flood keep you updated. tell you how warnings will be issued and important to you and have a plan of where information can be obtained to action. may decide to store certain items of Warning Service in this leaflet. This will sentimental value and importantdocuments upstairs. Decide what is to move items to prevent damage. You done and whether it would be possible floor. Consider what damage might be how you could block these. What do you value?Assess what belongings, furniturefittings and may be at risk on the ground other access points where enterwater your could property, i.e. air bricks and need to use them is very remote, they can be more effective thanquicker sandbags andand easier to handle. Be aware of board slots in doorways. Although the Flood protectionConsider measures: the idea of installing flood inadequately insured - please onedo not of these.be insurance. Research has shownabout that 20% of properties are buildings insurance covers you against stress experienced by people who have flooded is due to lack of adequate HOUSEHOLDERS RESPONSIBILITIES Insurance: Check that your household contents and flooding. One of the greatest causes of What should householders who live in the flood risk area do ? BE PREPARED!