Booklet to beat flood risk

The individual Community Flooding Booklets produced by Rotherham Borough Council contain advice and guidance about what to do before, during and after a flood, together with details of flood warnings.

The 28-page booklets, which also have a list of vital telephone numbers, have been compiled by the authority’s Emergency and Safety Team, and have been targetted towards communities in the borough that are

likely to flood.

• The ‘high-risk’ areas of the borough have been listed as
•  Aston-cum-Aughton/Swallownest.
• Catcliffe and Treeton.
• Dinnington/Laughton Common.
• Rotherham Town centre.
• Ickles to Rawmarsh.
• Swinton/Kilnhurst/Hooton Roberts.
• Wath-upon-Dearne and Whiston.

Flooding can occur as a result of the over-flowing of the Rivers Rother and Don, or as a result of issues with surface water drainage following a period The council’s Cabinet member for emergency planning, Cllr Richard Russell, advised all Rotherham residents—particular those in high risk areas—to get a copy of the booklet.

He said: “The authority and its partners have done a considerable amount of flood prevention works following the floods in June 2007, but everyone, particuarly those who live in ‘high-risk’ areas, should be provided with the information in these booklets, which will help them to be better prepared for any flooding events in the future.

“They are full of useful information and are available at all local libraries and other public buildings.”

Since the 2007 floods, the council and the Environment Agency have undertaken a number of flood prevention works in various areas.

The council have also begun preparing service water management plans so that any future flooding will not have such a devastating effect on Rotherham communities.

Electronic copies of all the booklets are also availabe on the Rotherham Borough

Council website at: www.rotherham.gov.uk/floods.

The booklets will also be available from the Emergency Planning Trailer at this weekend’s Rotherham Show in Clifton Park.