Cyngor Sir CEREDIGION County Council FLOOD RESPONSE PLAN Version 6 September 18 Version: v 6 Published: September 2018 Review Date: September 2019 Plan Owner: Community Safety & Civil Contingencies Unit Ceredigion County Council Flood Response Plan 1 Ver 6 September 2018 Ceredigion County Council Flood Response Plan 2 Ver 6 September 2018 Contents Page 1 Introduction 3 Aims and Objectives 3 2 Scope 4 – 5 3 Related Plans 6 4 Flood Warnings 7 - 10 5 Activation Triggers 11 - 12 6 Actions 13 - 14 7 Prioritisation 15 8 Communications 16 9 Resources 17 10 Vulnerable People 18 11 Key Infrastructure 18 12 Evacuation 19 13 Stand Down Procedure 19 14 Recovery Phase 19 15 Post Incident Debrief 20 16 Types of Flood Risk 21 17 Flood Risk Communities 21 - 22 Appendices A Sandbag policy document. B Understanding Rainfall and Flood products Ceredigion County Council Flood Response Plan 3 Ver 6 September 2018 1. Introduction The Flood Response Plan is a specific hazard plan required by Category 1 responders under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. It outlines the Ceredigion County Council response to a flood event and is supported by individual service procedures and other generic corporate plans. The Flood Response Plan describes the management structures and procedures used by the Council in response to a flooding event in Ceredigion, focusing upon the roles within the coordinated response of a number of agencies. The aim of any response is to mitigate the effects of an incident on people, infrastructure and the environment and aid recovery. It is the responsibility of owners and occupiers of properties to protect their property in the event of flooding. This plan is produced and maintained by the Community Safety and Civil Contingencies Unit. Aim The aim of this plan is to outline the Council procedures in response to the flood risk within the boundary of Ceredigion. Objectives The objectives of this plan are to: Highlight the activation and escalation triggers Identify the flood risk from all sources Outline the council procedures in response to a flood event Minimise the impact and consequences of a flood event on people, infrastructure and the environment Document Control This plan will be reviewed annually or more frequently if required. Any amendments required should be referred to the Community Safety and Civil Contingencies Unit of Ceredigion County Council which has responsibility for this plan. Community Safety and Civil Contingencies Unit Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion Penmorfa Aberaeron SA46 0PA 01545 572432/ 572433 [email protected] It is the responsibility of the designated holders of this manual to ensure that all amendments are incorporated and a record made. This document carries a Government Protective Marking Scheme classification of OFFICIAL Ceredigion County Council Flood Response Plan 4 Ver 6 September 2018 Documents Amendments Version Number Amended by Comments 1.0 A Staite Initial draft and publication 2013 2.0 D Lewis Draft sent to Ceredigion Severe 2014 Weather Group for review and update. New sandbag policy doc 3.0 D Lewis New Ceredigion map and comments September from SWG including organisational 2015 changes and comments from Technical Services. 3.1 D Lewis Change to Technical Services February Response 2016 3.2 D Lewis Ceredigion Severe Weather Group April 2016 Review + Sandbag Policy 3.3 D Lewis After Group review September 2016 3.4 D Lewis Flood Risk Community Update September 2016 4.0 D Lewis Published after Severe Weather September Group meeting 2016 5.0 L Barron Updated to reflect input receieved September from NRW including changes to 2017 Flood Guidance Statements 6.0 L Barron Reviewed and Updated to reflect September new Organisational Structure 2018 Return to contents page Ceredigion County Council Flood Response Plan 5 Ver 6 September 2018 2. Scope This plan is designed to be referred to in the early stages of a flood event by any person requiring information about the flood risk and response arrangements within the boundary of Ceredigion detailed in the picture below: This plan is intended to cover response to flooding of the following types: Surface Water Flooding Surface water flooding happens when the ground, rivers and drains cannot absorb heavy rainfall. Typically this type of flooding is highly localised and happens very quickly, making it difficult to provide any warning. Surface water flooding is much more complex to predict than flooding from rivers. This is especially true in the urbanised areas where infrastructure is insufficient to cater for peak storm flows. The weather warnings produced by the Met Office are generally County wide and not for specific areas within Ceredigion. Fluvial Flooding (River) River flooding is a risk that can occur at any time of the year and can be caused by: Prolonged rainfall coupled with factors that restrict the rain from being absorbed by the ground (ground saturation, development), which in turn leads to overland flow. Rapid thaw of heavy snows. Intensely heavy rainfall due to convective storms. Abnormally high river levels caused by any of the above leading to overtopping or bursting of riverbanks (likely to have effects downstream from cause). Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is responsible for Main River flooding, with forecasting and warning based upon catchment areas. Catchment boundaries of NRW are currently under review Ceredigion County Council Flood Response Plan 6 Ver 6 September 2018 NRW have jurisdiction and certain powers over all sections of main rivers and CCC over ordinary watercourses. NRW have statutory responsibilities and duties for managing flood risk from main rivers and ordinary watercourses. The responsibility and maintenance of ordinary watercourses ultimately rest with the Riparian Owner. The Riparian Owner has no general duty to improve any watercourse to prevent flooding but is entitled to protect their property from flooding. More information on Riparian Ownership can be found in ‘A guide to your rights and responsibilities of riverside ownership in Wales’. Tidal Flooding The threat from tidal flooding is contained to a number of areas along the Ceredigion coastline which may or may not have sea defences in place whilst others do not. The main danger from flooding arises from a combination of high tides and a storm surge. Storm surges are created by water that has been drawn into the centre of a low-pressure system being pushed east by West or South Westerly winds. The start of the channelling effect of the Bristol Channel can also enhance the surge height. NRW continually monitors meteorological conditions in the Irish Sea and Bristol Channel and if a storm surge is possible, a Tidal Alert or Warning may be issued. Ceredigion County Council, as part of the Cardigan Bay Coastal Group, has developed the second West Wales Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2) The SMP2 is a non-statutory policy document and identifies the most suitable approach to managing the flood and coastal erosion risk to the coastline from St.Anne’s Head of Pembrokeshire to The Great Orme in Conwy. This Flood Plan does not cover flooding events arising from the following: Foul Sewage This is normally flooding resulting from blockage or surcharging of the sewerage network leading to overflow through manholes etc. The impact of this type of flooding is likely to be localised, and responsibility for the response would lie with the utility company. If the discharge is in combination with other types of flooding covered in this plan a multi-agency approach may be necessary. Water Main Burst This type of flooding is normally a direct result of fractures to water mains. The impact of this type of flooding is likely to be localised and responsibility for the response would lie with the utility company. Groundwater Groundwater flooding is a rare occurrence and responsibilities are not covered by present legislation. However, this flooding often occurs in combination with other types of flooding which are covered in this plan. Contained water This includes statutory and other reservoirs, private lakes and canals. Flooding from this sort of installation would tend to be instantaneous with significant movement of debris (including vehicles) and sediment. The impact is likely to be devastating to anything in the floods wake and would be accompanied by little or no warning. In respect of reservoirs covered by The Reservoirs Act 1975, the relevant statutory undertaker’s emergency plan will apply. Ceredigion County Council Flood Response Plan 7 Ver 6 September 2018 3. Related Plans This plan is designed primarily to be used for a tactical response or Silver Command for flooding incidents in the County of Ceredigion. The diagram below shows the interdependencies with other multi agency and Ceredigion County Council plans. Dyfed Powys Local Resilience Forum (DPLRF) Joint Major Incident Procedure Manual Dyfed Powys Police DPLRF Severe DPLRF DPLRF Weather Operation Marlin Warning & Recovery Plan Arrangements Informing Rest Centre Ceredigion County Major Incident Council Flood Response Procedures Procedures Plan Individual Service Plans Community Plans Ceredigion County Council Flood Response Plan 8 Ver 6 September 2018 Flood Warnings Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is responsible for managing warnings of potential tidal and fluvial flooding. The warning system is based on geographical Flood Warning Areas. Natural Resources Wales use 4 flood codes to indicate the level of predicted risk: “Flooding is possible. Be prepared” NRW issue Flood Alerts for targeted specific locations that are at risk of flooding. It will indicate that flooding is possible and that people should make some low impact preparations (e.g. move small valuable items upstairs, check travel plans) and remain vigilant “Flooding is expected. Immediate action required”. NRW mainly target Flood Warnings at specific communities that are at risk from flooding. Some Flood Warnings may apply to stretches of coast and river. It will indicate that flooding is expected and that people should take more direct impact actions e.g.