Keep alert and up to date with latest weather forecasts and warnings

With wind and further rain forecast, residents and businesses across the county are being urged to keep alert to keep up to date with the latest flood forecasts and warnings.

Shropshire Council along with West Mercia Police and other emergency services are working around the clock to ensure residents are kept safe and roads are open.

As the council’s Customer Service Centre is focusing on emergency calls the council is urging people to go to the authority’s dedicated webpage at https://shropshire.gov.uk/flooding-advice/, which provides advice and information of what to do before, after and during bad weather.

Information on the flooding advice includes:

• School, road and car park closures
• Advice and information from the Environment Agency, the Met Office and Public Health England
• Support for people affected by floods
• Latest updates from the Shropshire Council newsroom

The website is being updated on a regular basis.  Shropshire Council is also urging people to follow the council’s twitter account for the latest updates at https://twitter.com/shropcouncil.  You don’t need to be signed up to see our alerts all you need to do is refresh the page to see the latest update.

Advice recently released by West Mercia Police and Shropshire Council includes:

Wind and Trees

• Residents and road users are being urged to try to avoid passing potential falling trees.
• Please report fallen trees by contacting our Highways team on 0345 678 9006.

Advice for Road Users – As the road situation changes rapidly, drivers are being urged to drive with caution.

• If driving through larger puddles or smaller areas of standing water, drive slowly and steadily, allow oncoming traffic to pass and always test your brakes after leaving the water. 
• If water has flooded across a section of road it may be difficult to tell exactly how deep it is. 
• If you do come across a road that is flooded DO NOT attempt to drive through the flood water.  This not only has the potential to put yourself and other people in serious danger, it could also damage your vehicle and wreck your engine.
• Pedestrians and cyclists are also advised to take extra care and avoid travelling through flooded areas, keeping to clear pathways and cycle routes. With many drainage systems overwhelmed by flooding, there is a danger of drain and manhole covers coming loose which would not be visible if covered by flood water.

General Weather Safety Advice:

• If you live in a locality affected by flooding and you do not need to travel from your home, you are advised to Go In, Stay In, Tune In.
• Go indoors unless there is an obvious risk to the property.
• Stay indoors until you know more about the situation and the appropriate action you need to take to protect yourself further.
• Tune in to a local radio station for updates about the emergency or log onto websites or social media channels.
• Do not put yourself or others in danger.
• Be aware of any elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may need your help.
• If advised to do so, be prepared to evacuate and follow instructions given.

If your property is at risk of flooding prepare a flood kit and include the following:

• Pack a small bag with essential belongings and include warm clothes, torch (check batteries), radio (wind up or battery powered), food, water, other drink, mobile phone (pre input useful numbers), any medicines that you might need to take, any important documents that you have and a first aid kit.
• Keep this bag easily accessible. Collect personal belongings, including insurance and bank details, and essential telephone numbers together, and keep them in a waterproof bag.
• Move people, pets, valuables and sentimental items upstairs or in a high place downstairs.
• Keep a separate list of useful telephone numbers to hand (this should include your local council, your insurance company and Floodline – 0845 988 188).
• Find out where and how to turn off your Gas and Electricity. 
• Ensure that you switch it off if flooding is imminent before evacuating.
• If possible, move electrical equipment and furniture upstairs. Any furniture that you cannot move upstairs, try to raise well off the floor.
• Alert neighbours and assist the elderly, infirm and those with small children.
• Block doorways and air bricks
• Avoid walking and driving through floodwater, there could be hidden hazards. Keep up to date with local radio for further information and announcements and via Floodline 0845 988 1188.
  

If your property is flooded:

• Continue to listen for situation updates on your local radio or via Floodline 0845 988 1188
• Keep dry, out of floodwater if possible
• Stay in your property, if safe to do so, until advised otherwise by the emergency services or floodwater has receded
• Do not walk or drive through flowing floodwater.  If it is necessary to walk through shallow floodwater, take care for hidden holes, obstacles or other hazards. 
• Do not walk on river banks, sea defences or cross bridges over fast flowing rivers.  Avoid contact with floodwater and wash exposed skin before handling food or attending to wounds If possible move electrical equipment and furniture upstairs.
  

If an evacuation becomes necessary:

• Stay calm and do not panic. Police officers and / or other officials will try to visit all properties at risk to advise on the requirement to evacuate.
• If road conditions permit, move vehicles to unaffected areas and ask friends / family if you can share their parking facilities. You will hear about your evacuation point for transport and the location of the reception centre either verbally or by a leaflet.
• Try to check that any elderly / vulnerable family members or neighbours know about the evacuation.
• Try to inform family members / friends as to where you are evacuating.
• Listen to the advice of the authorities and follow any instructions to leave a property.