|
Flooding, particularly next to rivers and the coast, is a
natural process but it can have far reaching effects on local
people and property.
It can result in damage to property, isolate communities and
restrict travel. It can also affect farming, industry, leisure and
transport.
As rainfall increases during our winter season, the risk of
flooding threatens many Kent residents, some have seen homes and
businesses ruined by floods.
In recent years large areas of Kent have suffered as a result of
flooding in coastal areas as well as within the main river plains
of the Darenth, Medway and Stour.
Kent County Council is committed to reducing the risks from
flooding to people, property and the natural environment.
What we're doing in response to the risk of flooding
Kent County Council, district councils and the emergency
services are aware of the risk of flooding, especially in coastal
regions and areas where rivers overflow quickly.
In the past few years Kent County Council, working with district
councils, emergency services and the Environment Agency, has taken
forward a huge project to prioritise areas most at risk.
We have also started a series of flood-prevention measures and
improved flood warning arrangements.
There is still much to be done to provide the standard of flood
risk management expected by those at threat in Kent.
Over time, the various measures being put in place will further
improve protection for Kent's vulnerable areas.
Areas that are most at risk
Some of the main areas most at risk in Kent include the Medway,
Darent, Stour, Swale and Romney catchments. Extensive repairs,
dredging and blockage clearance have been carried out in these
areas to improve the flow of water and reduce the speed at which
flooding occurs.
A three-year programme of work for 2002 to 2005 was produced,
setting targets for the continued protection of such high-risk
areas.
One plan is to establish a new weather coverage radar unit in
the south-east to replace the existing one and provide better flood
forecasting abilities.
How residents can be prepared
There are some advice booklets available from The Environment
Agency's floodline service.
These include 'preparing for floods', 'damage limitation',
'flooding in gardens', 'after a flood' and 'flood products'.
You can request these by calling the Floodline on 0845 988 1188
or download them by visiting the
Environment Agency website (link opens in a
new window).
The Kent Emergency Group, comprises fire, police and ambulance
services, coastguard, NHS and the Environment Agency. For the third
year they have produced a leaflet giving key messages about what
people should do before, during, and after a flood event.
The advice in the leaflet complements the Environment Agency's
flood awareness campaign which encourages people to take action to
protect their premises from flooding before it happens.
The leaflet can be picked up from district councils, libraries
and police stations or you can
download
the flooding advice leaflet here.
Helpful information and flood warnings for various regions can
also be found at the
Environment Agency's website (link opens in
a new window). |