Newark and Sherwood District Council give latest advice to residents on steps to take in order to stay safe during flooding in the aftermath of Storm Henk
A council has assured the public that help is available and has offered advice to residents on steps they can take to stay safe.
Newark and Sherwood District Council earlier today (Saturday, January 6) issued an urgent update on flooding in the area.
You can read the update here.
A Newark and Sherwood District Council spokesman said that if a life is in danger during flooding, people should dial 999.
Here are some other suggestions offered by the council on how to stay safe:
• Ensure your family and pets are safe and away from flood water.=
• Act on your personal flood plan [PDF]
• Gather essentials and move valuable items above expected water levels.=
• Check on vulnerable neighbours or relatives.=
• Follow any instructions given by the emergency services – you may be asked to evacuate your property at short notice, so ensure you have an emergency kit of essential items ready.=
• Prepare your property with any flood protection measures and turn off water, gas, and electricity before water enters your property.
• Ensure important documents are safe, including your home insurance details
• Avoid driving or walking through flood water, there may be hidden dangers (see more below about roads during floods)
• Move vehicles to higher ground
• flood water is likely to be contaminated, wash your hands and follow good hygiene principles
The spokesman added that the council recommends people have an emergency kit of essential items.
The items suggested are:
• A list of emergency contact numbers – this should be a paper copy, in case your mobile phone loses power
• Battery-operated torch and spare batteries, or a wind-up torch
• Battery-operated radio and spare batteries, or a wind-up radio
• Mobile phone
• Any essential medication and a first-aid kit
• Bottled water and ready-to-eat food that won’t go off
• Copies of important documents, such as insurance policies and birth certificates – keep these in a waterproof bag
• Pencil, paper, penknife, and whistle.
• Spare keys to your home and car
• Spare glasses or contact lenses
• Baby and pet supplies if needed
They also advised that you be ready to evacuate your property at short notice if advised to do so and have a kit ready to facilitate being able to vacate your house quickly.
Items on this list include:
• Checking the weather forecast and packing suitable clothes
• Ready-to-eat food, a warm drink in a flask and bottled water
• Mobile phone and charger
• Any essential medication
• Spare glasses or contact lenses
• Cash and credit cards
• List of emergency contact numbers – this should be a paper copy, in case your mobile phone loses power
• Baby and pet supplies if needed
If you do need somewhere to go after evacuating, help is available here.
"We are still aware that some areas are currently cut off, including Girton, Tolney Lane, and Holme," said the Newark and Sherwood District Council spokesman.
"We are continuing to regularly liaise with these communities and flood wardens across Newark and Sherwood."
Paul Peacock, the Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by this extreme flooding.”
“While flood levels are subsiding in some areas, we are aware that some levels are just beginning to rise elsewhere.
"Some villages are cut off entirely and our teams have been, and are continuing to work with, these communities as well as all over the district. "Our staff are out and about delivering Aqua-Sacs, medicine, food, water, and other urgent supplies.”
“Our officers are out and about in the district supporting residents.
“I’d like to personally encourage everyone to stay as safe as possible, remain at home if it is safe to do so, and avoid travel where possible.
“Flood water could be contaminated so please do what you can to prevent children and pets from stepping into it.
"Our team are updating social media and our website with the latest information and helpful advice so I encourage you all to stay updated there.”
“We will continue with the response across Newark and Sherwood over the weekend.
"Stay safe, everyone.”
