Flood waters reach record levels as priority given to areas where danger to life

FLOOD waters have reached record levels in some parts of Warrington as homes have been evacuated with the council and agency partners having to prioritise areas where flooding has been so severe there has been danger to life.

In a joint statement Warrington Borough Council Chief Executive Prof Steven Broomhead MBE and Council Leader Cllr. Russ Bowden said:“The levels of flooding we have witnessed in Warrington and indeed across the entire country are, in some areas, beyond any levels previously recorded.
“As at 7pm yesterday evening, 20 January, the Environment Agency had issued 105 flood warnings and 217 flood alerts across the country.
“In some parts of Warrington, water levels have been recorded as up to 450mm higher than previous records.
“Council officers have worked with partners, including the Police, Fire Service, Environment Agency and housing providers, to ensure that those worst affected by the floods have been visited, provided advice and, where necessary, evacuated and supported to find alternative accommodation overnight.
“Council officers have worked with partners to prioritise localities where there has been flooding so severe that it may have posed a danger to life. Officers have visited several hundred addresses across the entire borough, including areas of particular concern including Orford, Bewsey and Dallam, and Heatley in Lymm, conducting COVID-secure visits in the most challenging of conditions.
“Thousands of sandbags have been provided and pumps have also been established in particular hotspots to remove as much water as possible. Given the extremely high water levels and subsequent widespread flooding however, some properties have sadly been breached. This is attributable to there being up to 82mm of rainfall in 48 hours – weather this severe is almost impossible to mitigate, as we have sadly witnessed across the country.
“If you need to leave your property due to severe risk of flooding, or your home becoming flooded, and you can evacuate safely, you can seek shelter with friends and family – but you must follow the COVID-secure basics of trying to keep your distance, washing your hands and wearing a face-covering where necessary. If you are in this position, please think very carefully about who you could stay with. If you know people who are self-isolating or clinically extremely vulnerable, for example, we ask that you do not stay with them.
“Council officers and partner services are also on hand to support evacuation where it would be unsafe to evacuate on your own. In these circumstances, please follow the instructions of these services and do not try to evacuate yourself or others. Please do not attempt to wade or drive through deep flooding or put yourself at risk by trying to help others. In these circumstances, council officers and emergency services are on the ground and are dealing with these unprecedented challenges, so please ensure that you allow them to carry on providing this invaluable support without endangering yourself or other people.
“If you are not at immediate risk of flooding, please stay at home. If you would like further advice, please call the council on 443322 or your landlord/ housing provider if you are a tenant and concerned about your home.
“We will continue to keep residents updated throughout the day at: warrington.gov.uk/flooding
Further information
•You can check flood risks by signing up for free flood warnings via the Environment Agency Flood Information Services
•If you are a homeowner and are concerned that you need to evacuate, please make sure you speak to your insurance company. If your property has been flooded or is at risk of flooding, please inform your insurance company as they will need to engage their loss adjusters to undertake a safety assessment, and also support you with remediation works
•You can contact the council on 01925 443322 if you are concerned that your property will be flooded. We can provide sand bags and advise on how to protect your property. Sand bags are currently being prioritised for houses that have been breached, or where there is a significant and immediate risk of homes becoming breached.
•If you live in social housing or rented accommodation and are concerned about flooding, please speak to your landlord/ housing provider. Your landlord will be able to provide support and safety advice to you.