Lancashire Communities Encouraged to Sign Up and Receive Flood Warnings With New Service Launched

• The Environment Agency has launched a new local service aimed at providing early warning of flooding in four communities across

Lancashire • The new service will see warning messages sent when there is an imminent risk of flooding and helps people make informed decisions about how to respond • Residents can register for the new service for free and choose to receive notifications via phone call or text.

The Environment Agency has launched a new warning service, which will warn residents of any imminent risk of flooding, in four communities across Lancashire including Upper River Darwen at Darwen, Sabden Brook and Badger Well Water at Sabden, Syd Brook at Eccleston and Sefton Street Watercourse at Brierfield.

The new flood warnings cover 378 properties and will see a warning message issued when flooding is forecast and again to warn users if impacts are likely

Residents can register for the new service for free and choose to receive notifications via phone call or text.

Flood Warnings tell people about an imminent risk of flooding to their home or business and helps people make informed decisions about how to respond. There are three types of warning – Flood Alert, Flood Warning and Severe Flood Warning.

Householders are encouraged to prepare if they receive a Flood Alert which could mean packing a bag that includes medicines, insurance documents and anything else they wouldn’t want to lose if flooding were to take place. A Flood Warning calls on people to act now which means turning off gas, water and electricity and moving family and pets to safety. A Severe Flood Warning means you are in immediate danger and to follow advice from emergency services.

Elizabeth Abraham, Environment Agency Flood Resilience Advisor, said: “We know the devastating impact that flooding can have, which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.

“These warnings are there to help people prepare for, and become more resilient to, flooding incidents and this new service will allow people to take appropriate action when flooding is forecast. We would encourage all of those in the affected area and across Lancashire, to sign up for our free warnings for both their safety and peace of mind.”

Additional funding from the Government has enabled the Environment Agency to invest in the latest technology and infrastructure needed to provide a flood warning service in Lancashire and over 200 other communities across England. This latest expansion follows on from a new service in 2021 to Blackburn and Wennington.

In total an additional 62,000 properties at risk of flooding will receive Flood Warnings between now and the end of 2022. It is an important part of the implementation of the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy to better protect businesses and homes from flooding and create climate resilient places.

Home and business owners will be auto enrolled to the Flood Warning service via their mobile network. However, to get the most benefit out of the service the Environment Agency is encouraging people to register directly with them by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or visiting

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings

where they can register preferred contact details.