Cllrs Barnes and Lamb. along with Rossendale Council employees, hand out snadbags to those affected by the Boxing Day 2015 flooding in Irwell Vale
Published December 21, 2016 at 16:15
A year on from Storm Desmond and Storm Eva, Rossendale Borough Council has made provisions to protect residents against the risk of future flooding.
Sandbags have been made available to anybody affected by the 2015 flooding who has not yet had the opportunity to take preventative measures going into this winter.
Residents are free to collect a small supply whilst they last and use them in case of any further flooding this winter.
However the Council is urging people to only use the sandbags as a last line of defence and to arrange suitable flood protection measures for their property.
Flood resilience grants of up to £5000 have been made available to homeowners and businesses flooded as a result of Storm Desmond and Storm Eva.
The grants, provided by Government to local authority areas, can be used to pay for equipment that will better prepare properties against flood water from entering and to speed the recovery if it does.
The Flood Resilience Grants can be applied for until March 31, 2017. For further information visit www.rossendale.gov.uk or email: resiliencefund@rossendalebc.gov.uk
Residents are also advised to sign up for flood warnings to stay one step ahead and allow vital time to prepare. Visit the www.gov.uk website or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188. You can also check your flood risk and get advice and guidance here: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/
Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said:
“Last year was terrible for many people locally affected by the storms and flooding. It caused such havoc. There are simple steps you can take now that could make all the difference in a flood, like applying for the grant or picking up some of our free sandbags. You should also sign up to receive flood warnings from the Environment Agency and think about putting together a flood kit and collating emergency contact numbers and essential documents. You can never be too prepared.”
Councillor Christine Lamb, Portfolio Holder for Operational Services and Development Control, said:
“I urge anyone who hasn’t applied for funding to do so now. Please don’t wait until flooding is imminent as you simply won’t have time to buy or put measures in place. Whilst it’s impossible to completely flood-proof a property, there are lots of things you can do to reduce the damage flooding causes.”
Filed under : flood | resilience