Carlisle MP urges residents to prepare for floods

The Met Office have issued a warning to people across the UK this week about the prospect of a wetter-than-usual winter.

The season is predicted to bring a lot of rain, with people urged to prepare for flooding.

There is a chance, claimed to be ‘above average’, of the winter being wetter than normal over the next three months, according to the Office, with the wetter conditions most likely in January and February next year.

This recent update is somewhat negative for the county, as more than £1m of damage was caused in Cumbria by the latest bout of flooding.

Councillor Keith Little, the county's transport chief, reported on the toll taken in the area when Cumbria County Council met at Carlisle Racecourse earlier this month.

The council's highways team received more than 350 flood related calls in the final five days of October, while staff worked around the clock during the flood event to assist communities, businesses and residents at a cost of more than £250,000.

The Environment Agency’s campaign runs from November through to March and is focused on helping people know what action to take in a flood, based on the Prepare, Act, Survive flood guide.

As part of the campaign, residents are being encouraged to already prepare for the arrival of the bad weather.

Speaking after the campaign’s launch, Mr Stevenson said: “Taking steps to prepare for flooding, signing up for flood alerts, and knowing what to do in the event of a flood can significantly reduce the damages to a home and possessions, reduce the risk to life, and reduce the likelihood of suffering from mental health impacts in the future.”

As part of the campaign, residents who believe they may be at risk are being encouraged to complete a personal flood plan. More details, including what to do during various stages of flooding, can be found on the ‘check for flooding’ section of the Government’s website.