Storm Dennis: Update from SC’s chief executive – 6pm Mon 17 Feb

Shropshire Council continue to work round the clock in response to Storm Dennis and want to reassure people affected that all partners are working together to keep people safe, and plans have been put in place for the coming days.

The council’s emergency planning team have also been in action as part for the wider co-ordination effort involving the emergency services, Environment Agency, and other key partners.

Ongoing communications have been issued to the public and local media throughout the weekend and we will continue to do so.

Praising the work of highways and other services across the council, Clive Wright – chief executive, said:

“I would like to thank all our staff and partners in responding to what has been an unprecedented situation. Our priority has been the safety of residents and to our infrastructure.

“We have quadrupled our teams to respond to the floods, and will continue to monitor and respond to any changes to our situation as it progresses.

“I hope my update will reassure people that we are working as hard as we can to ensure the safety of our residents.

“We are now seeing high levels of flooding which is affecting traffic in and around Shrewsbury. We have issued a current list of road closures. We hope this information about the current high level floods in Shrewsbury will also be useful to our partners, in that the current flooding in the town will have an impact further downriver.”

You can view Clive’s update here: httpv://youtu.be/XW0dBP7y2Kg

Volunteer staff at Shropshire Council’s Customer Service Centre will be staying on until 8pm specifically to help with emergency calls for highways and flooding issues. The number for this is 0345 678 9006. This is so that we can provide an emergency service to help Shropshire’s residents affected by the current flooding. After 8pm, emergency calls will still be picked up on that number by the out of hours service.

People can also report highways issues on MyShropshire at https://shropshire.gov.uk/welcome-to-myshropshire/

A dedicated Storm Dennis webpage has been set up which provides flooding information, advice and updates.  https://shropshire.gov.uk/storm-dennis