As part of an annual awareness campaign, Calderdale Council is reminding residents to be prepared for the risk of flash flooding this summer.
In recent weeks, there have been multiple weather warning and localised rainfall showers across parts of Yorkshire, acting as a reminder that sudden and heavy downpours are more likely in the summer months.
Flash flooding happens when rain falls so fast that the underlying ground cannot cope, or drain it away fast enough. Roads can become like rivers and if there is a lot of water, it can flood buildings and carry cars away. So, if the rain is falling too fast for the ground or drains to cope, there is a risk of flash flooding.
Although flash flooding can be difficult to predict, there are a number of things residents can do to be better prepared and to improve understanding of local risk. The Council is encouraging residents and businesses to sign up for Met Office weather warnings(external link), register for flood warnings(external link) and write or check that their own flood plan(external link) is up to date and practice regularly.
Residents can check the risk of flooding for any area in the UK at the following government website: Check the long term flood risk for an area in England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(external link)
They can also prepare flood protection measures(external link) in their property, including barriers, drain sealers and anti-flood air bricks, and resilience measures such as sump pumps, raised electrics and water-resistant building materials.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“Our climate action work includes raising awareness of the impacts of climate change, such as the increased frequency of extreme weather events.
“It’s been a particularly wet spring and summer and with heavy and intense rainfall more likely in the summer months, it’s important that people are aware of the increased risk of flash flooding.
“We carefully monitor forecasts and take any necessary actions, but we’re also urging people to check their own flood plans and ensure they’re prepared and ready to act quickly if flooding should occur.”
In the last decade, flooding in Calderdale has been much more frequent with significant impacts. This is a direct result of climate change and Calderdale, a rapid run-off catchment, is especially vulnerable to flooding because of its steep-sided valleys and riverside communities.
As a key part of the Calderdale Flood Action Plan, Natural Flood Management (NFM) strategies aim to effectively manage the borough’s distinctive landscape to help slow water flow and naturally manage flood risk.
To support ongoing NFM work, organisations across Calderdale can now access a grant scheme to support them in creating natural flood management (NFM) works on their land.
The Priority NFM Action Grant Scheme is now open for applications for projects which support key NFM priorities. This could be sustainable drainage systems, the implementation of NFM strategies, work to enhance moorland habitats or engagement work with local landowners.
For more information, visit The Priority NFM Action Grant Scheme – Eye on Calderdale(external link). To apply for the grant, organisations can request an application form by emailing NFM@calderdale.gov.uk.
Cllr Patient added:
“Natural flood management is one of the four critical areas of work in the Calderdale Flood action plan, with various natural interventions supporting flood resilience and complementing engineering works in the borough by slowing down the flow of water coming off the hillsides.
“The Priority NFM Action Grant aims to support organisations with this important flood resilience work, helping them to deliver projects to benefit the environment and the whole community.”
Visit https://eyeoncalderdale.com/(external link) for up-to-date information about flooding in Calderdale. The site provides a live table to check current flood alerts and river levels and offers expert advice on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from flooding.
Sign up for the monthly Calderdale Council flooding newsletter to get the latest news and updates on all topics related to flooding in Calderdale. Please choose ‘Flood recovery & resilience’ from the options available on this form: Newsletter sign up(external link).
For updates on climate action work from across the borough, sign up for the Zero Carbon newsletter(external link)
ENDS