Make a family flood plan which can be activatedquickly in response to a flood warning - detailscan be obtained from Floodline or on theEnvironment Agency website:

www.environment-agency.gov.ukMake up a flood kit that includes insurancedocuments and emergency contact numbers, anymedication you may need, a torch, batterypowered or wind up radio, mobile phone, rubbergloves, waterproof clothing, and blankets.Consider purchasing flood protection products orobtain sandbags which you can use to try andprevent the floodwater from entering your homethrough doors, ground floor WC’s and airbricks.Report any blockages such as trees or rubbish inwatercourses which could result in flooding. Youcan report blocked watercourses to your DistrictCouncil or the Environment Agency.Report any flooding to Floodline on 0845988 1188Information regarding flooding can befound in the following booklets:* During a Flood: practical advice on what to do

to stay safe in a flood* After a Flood: practical advice on recovering

from a flood * Flood preparation: a guide to householdersThese booklets are available from Floodline on0845 988 1188. Information is also available onthe Environment Agency’s website: Online floodlibrarywww.environment-agency.gov.ukAdvice and information is also available from theNational Flood ForumThe Blue Book: Directory of Flood ProtectionProductsTel:01299 403055e-mail: mail@floodforum.org.ukwebsite: www.floodforum.org.uk

The Flood Warning CodesWhen a flood is forecast, the Environment Agency willeither issue a Flood Alert, a Flood Warning, or a SevereFlood Warning. The flood warning codes are based onexpected danger levels.

Telephone Contacts &Information

Environment AgencyFlood line(24 hours)..............0845 988 1188General Enquires(Daytime).....08708 506 506

www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Ribble Valley Borough CouncilDaytime..............................01200 425111Out of Hours........................01200 444448

Further guidance: www.ribblevalley.gov.uk

Flooding Informationfor the Ribble Valley

If you live in a Flood WarningArea register for Floodline on:

0845 988 1188Revised: August 2011

Warningno longerin force

Flood Alert.Flooding possibleBe prepared

Flood Warning.Flooding is expectedImmediate action required

Severe Flood Warning.Act Now. Severe floodingis expectedDanger to life and propertyNo further flooding isexpected. Water levels willstart to go down.

Flooding Information for Ribble ValleyThe historic town of Clitheroe and the villages,Whalley and Ribchester are situated on the RiverRibble/Calder system.From time to time localised flooding has occurredwithin Ribble Valley and the likelihood is, thatevents may become more frequent and possiblymore severe.The aim of this leaflet is to provide information onthe flood risk for Ribble Valley, the responsibilitiesof those who respond to flood incidents and thesteps people can take to prepare for floodingbefore it happens.Areas Affected by River FloodingIn Ribble Valley, the Environment Agency hasundertaken flood risk modelling and hasidentified 4 Flood Warning Areas which are at ahigher risk of flooding from the River Ribblesystem. The areas are:Clitheroe (Low Moor: Map Ref L9)Ribchester (Map Ref L5)Whalley (Map Ref: L21)Clitheroe (Mearley Brook: Ref L9)The Environment AgencyThe Environment Agency is the lead authority forflood risk management in England and Wales.The Environment Agency’s role in a flood event is

to issue flood warnings to the public, localauthorities, emergency services and the media.Once properties are identified as being locatedwithin a Flood Warning Area it is stronglyrecommended that occupiers register to receiveflood warning information. Flood warnings can beissued by telephone, fax, pager, SMS textmessage or email directly to any residentialproperty or business within the flood warningarea. You can sign up to receive free floodwarnings by contacting Floodline on 0845988 1188.Ribble Valley Borough CouncilRibble Valley Borough Council provide animmediate response in order to help to care forpeople affected by flooding. The precise natureand extent of this response will depend on theresources available. Ribble Valley BoroughCouncil works closely with Lancashire CountyCouncil Emergency Planning, who, on requestfrom the Police or Ribble Valley Borough Councilwill open a local reception centre for thoseevacuated from their homes.Ribble Valley Borough Council is also involved inhelping with the recovery phase after a flood, co-ordinating operations involving clean-up andadvice on environmental health problems causedby flooding.It is not normal for Ribble Valley BoroughCouncil to issue sandbags, unless it is possibleto do so on a very limited basis in the event of alocalised emergency. Sandbags can be sourcedlocally from most builders’ merchants.Emergency ServicesThe Police co-ordinate the emergency responseto a flood incident. They assist in the saving oflife and protection of property, working with otheremergency services in the protection and care ofthe public. The Police can be contacted on 0125451212 unless it is an emergency - in which casecall 999. The Police do not issue sandbags. The Fire Service undertake life-saving throughsearch and rescue. The Fire and Rescue Servicewill carry out pumping operations in certain

circumstances to help alleviate damage and inthe protection of vital services. A charge mayapply to pumping carried out in commercialpremises.The Ambulance Service provide treatment andcare of those injured. They work with othermedical personnel and emergency services,attending to and advising on the medical needs ofthose affected by flooding.Road/Drainage FloodingRainwater on roads will not be able to drain awayif the watercourses next to them are flooding.Flooding of the highways is the responsibility ofLancashire County Council Highways Division,Whalley Area Office, who can be contacted on0845 0530011.Flooding from sewers is the responsibility ofUnited Utilities and their contact number is 0845746 2200.Help YourselfFlooding cannot be prevented but it can beprepared for. There are simple steps that can betaken to prepare for flooding and help reduce thedamage it can result in. These include:If you live in a Flood Warning Area please registeron Floodline Warnings Direct so that you canreceive an early warning of flooding.Keep the Floodline 0845 988 1188 numberin a visible place. Floodline is available 24 hours a day 7 days aweek. Ring to hear the latest flooding informationand if any warnings have been issued for yourarea by using your Quickdial number to accessup-to-date information. Quickdial numbers areavailable from Floodline.