FLOOD EMERGENCY PLAN

RIVER SEVERN

(BEVERE TO POWICK INCLUDING WORCESTER)

BARBOURNE BROOK

(BLACKPOLE & PERDISWELL ON

THE BARBOURNE BROOK)

BARBOURNE BROOK

(BARBOURNE BROOK AT BARBOURNE)

October 2009

Contents

Page

Background 1

Aims and Objectives 3

The River Severn and Worcester 4

Barbourne Brook 5

The Flood Warning Scheme 6

How does the Scheme work? 7

Further information on the Flood Stages 8

Who should take part in the Scheme? 9

Duties and responsibilities of residents registered

on the Flood Warning Scheme 10

Action for Residents 11

Self help for Residents - an invitation to join WAAF 13

Action for Worcestershire County Council Highways Control 14

Action for Worcester City Council 15

Media Coverage (Local Radio) 16

Electrical Safety 17

Appendices

Flood Warning Decision Process Guide - Appendix A 18

Points of Contact (Official Bodies) - Appendix B 19

Flood Levels in Worcester - Appendix C 21

BACKGROUND

This document was initially drafted for discussion purposes as a result of the requirement of the then National Rivers Authority (NRA) that a national flood plan be put into operation for all rivers in Britain. It was intended that a flood plan be put into operation for the River Severn and its major tributaries by Christmas 1990.

It was decided at a meeting held between the former National Rivers Authority, Police, Army, NFU, County and District Councils that District Councils would provide the system to be used for the dissemination of flood warnings to those affected by flooding on a plan of response to a flood emergency.

Although there was no specific budget identified for this work or indeed any responsibility other than a moral responsibility at the time, it was felt that the scheme was worthwhile as it should help minimise flood relief requirements and that the City Council should support it wholeheartedly. However following the introduction of the Civil Contingency Act 2004 the City Council as a Category 1 Responder has a number of duties placed upon it that includes having a plan in place to respond to a range of emergencies that might occur in the Authority's area. The designation Category 1 Responder does not mean that the Council is a 'first' responder or an emergency service but reflects the range of responsibilities the City Council has in supporting partners, hence our collaboration with the Environment Agency in producing this Plan specific to the River Severn/Barbourne Brook area.

Since 1990 the scheme has proved a great benefit to many people living close to the River Severn and has helped avoid flooding damage to household items. It initially relied on the goodwill of a number of Senior Flood Wardens and Deputies who passed on information to affected properties at all hours of the day or night, and upon individual residents themselves to take whatever action they could to minimise risks.

In April 1996 the National Rivers Authority became part of the Environment Agency (EA) expanding the scope of their responsibilities. At the same time, the EA received a ministerial direction that it would take the lead in the dissemination of flood warnings. They did this by introducing the Automatic Voice Messaging (AVM) system to disseminate flood warnings, together with the Floodline service which gives details of flood warnings/predictions on rivers.

From 12 September 2000 a new system of flood warnings was introduced. From April 2001 the use of Flood Wardens ceased in favour of widespread use of the AVM. This enabled all registered residents to receive the warnings directly from the EA and greatly speeded up the issuing of warnings. In addition it also allowed a system to operate in the southern part of the City where due to a lack of volunteer Wardens a scheme had previously not existed.

During the winter months of 2003/04 trials of a temporary flood barrier were carried out on Hylton Road. This temporary barrier was successful in keeping both residential and business premises dry during the flood in February 2004, this was employed as an interim measure until a permanent flood alleviation scheme could be implemented.

In 2006 the EA further enhanced its flood warning system by introducing Floodline Warnings Direct (FWD) to replace AVM. By registering for this service, customers at risk receive flood warnings sent directly to their chosen telephone, mobile or fax number (or numbers). In addition, having registered to receive telephone warnings, recipients can also receive warnings by SMS text, e-mail and pager. On registering customers may elect to receive additional warnings for areas of interest and could, for example, receive warnings on behalf of elderly relatives who might live in a different `at risk' area. FWD is in addition to the Floodline Service that provides a dial-up Recorded Message Service (RMS) with a `Quick-dial' facility; this gives rapid access to the latest recorded flooding information for any affected area in England or Wales. In addition to the RMS, Floodline allows callers to speak to an operator to report flooding or to speak to the EA Flood Warning Duty Officer. For greater clarity, the definitions of the various types of flood warning were changed when FWD was introduced.

In order to register on the Floodline Warnings Direct system you need to contact the Environment Agency direct on: 0845 988 1188.

In 2007 heavy rain in June and then again on the 20 July caused exceptional flows in the River Teme and extensive flooding across Worcestershire. An estimated 205 properties were affected by flooding in the Worcester area.

River levels on the Worcester gauge reached 5.63 metres. At the Diglis gauge in Worcester they reached a peak of 5.30m on 21 July. This was higher than the maximum level in the 2000 flood incident of 5.08m. It was the highest level since 1947, when the level reached 5.58m at Diglis. During this event the decision to deploy the barriers to Hylton Road was taken in good time and the necessary workforce, plant and materials were deployed based on what is normally an easy journey on good roads. But severe weather caused widespread disruption, closing the M5 and grid locking other routes. Despite getting the barriers through there was not sufficient time to erect them safely. The temporary barriers may have offered some flood protection for the properties along Hylton Road.  However, it is likely some flooding from the sewer system may still have occurred as we anticipate our pumps would have reached the limit of their capacity given the severity of the rainfall.

On 26 and 27 July 50 to 95 homes were saved from flooding in Worcester by operating the Perdiswell floodwater storage area.  Upstream of the floodwater storage area 12 to 15 industrial properties in the Blackpole Industrial Estate were flooded.

The use of the temporary barrier continued up until the Environment Agency, in conjunction with partner organisations, funded and constructed a permanent flood bund completed in Autumn 2009, this is formed of a landscaped bund with additional demountable barrier sections.

The defences are intended to offer protection to Hylton Road from a flood with a 1 in 100 or 1% chance of happening in any one year. It will keep Worcester City Centre accessible for longer during a flood and help to protect thirteen residential and six commercial properties from flooding.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims of the plan are to:-

1. Inform residents of the system whereby a uniform and efficient response is given to flooding of the River Severn and Barbourne Brook throughout the City of Worcester.

2) Inform all members of the public who are themselves at risk or where they may have property or animals at risk.

3) Provide assistance, and advice where required, to a uniform and acceptable standard.

4) To educate and inform all persons involved in the Flood Emergency Plan of their responsibilities and to guide them in the decision making processes.

5) Be able to generally run parallel with or interact with any other civil emergency plans either at County or District level.

6) Be able to specifically run in conjunction with the severe weather warning plan.

The objectives of the plan are to:-

1) Ensure that the response to flooding on the River Severn and the Barbourne Brook by individual property owners, County Council's Highways Control, City Council and the Emergency Services (where required) is efficient and effective and that the process for the passage of information from the EA to those who have an interest is fully understood and as far as possible acted upon.

2) Provide assurance to citizens who are concerned about flood levels.

3) Provide assistance to residents whose properties are at risk.

THE RIVER SEVERN AND WORCESTER

The Severn is the longest river in Britain and hence is responsible for the drainage of many hundreds of square miles in both England and Wales.

It rises in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales, an area of high annual rainfall and as a consequence weather conditions in this region have an enormous impact upon its levels along the reaches through England.

The flow characteristics of the river exhibit a metamorphosis between England and Wales.

Short sharp bursts of rainfall in Wales cause the river to rise and fall rapidly in its upper reaches. Numerous small floods of short duration here become a few larger floods in Shrewsbury and perhaps a single major flood in Worcester of many days duration.

It is by past knowledge of these flood events, computer modelling and constant monitoring of river levels that the Environment Agency is able to forecast flooding in the various reaches of the Severn.

Forecasts of flooding are issued for predefined lengths or reaches of the river to reflect the differing characteristics and needs for warning in each reach. The reach from Bevere to Powick (coded as S9) includes Worcester and the River Teme confluence. The area has since been subdivided for the purposed of flood warnings into Barbourne, Worcester City Worcester North, Worcester South and Powick and Perdiswell. The river system in this area has the particular characteristics associated with the confluence of two large rivers where the one can substantially affect levels in the other for some distance upstream. The large expanses of open water, which are created once riverbanks overtop, also give rise to substantial wave action under the effect of strong prevailing winds.

Worcester has approximately 150 private and commercial properties which are below the 1947 flood level. Of this number approximately 35 are affected by a 1% or 1 in 100 year flood. During 1999 projects commenced with grants provided by the Environment Agency to raise the floor levels of a large number of riverside properties where the existing ceiling levels permitted such changes. Nevertheless, these properties remain within the 1 in 50 flood plain and residents would be affected by encroaching floodwater. In addition a number of roads are routinely submerged.

The above situation occurs soon after the river reaches bankfull but the City is fortunate in that further rises in river levels do not thereafter have any substantial effect, until flood levels begin to get close to 1947 levels when the remainder of the properties are then at risk.

The Environment Agency takes readings at Diglis, and a gauging station near the confluence with the Barbourne Brook, known as the Worcester Gauge, together with other gauging points further upstream on the Severn and the Teme to make predictions on the timing and extent of flooding.

It takes 3 days for flood peaks emanating from the Welsh hills to travel to Worcester down the Severn with quite slow rises in level. However the same storms often affect the Teme whose headwaters are near those of the Severn. The travel time down the Teme is only 24 hours giving relatively rapid rises in level. Because levels in the Severn impact on those in the Teme and vice-versa, both the Diglis and Worcester Gauge levels are taken into account when predicting floods in Worcester with the aim of providing at least 4 hours warning.

In the 2000 floods the EA recorded a total of 80 commercial and domestic properties affected by flooding. This flood was 500mm (19½ inches) less than the 1947 flood but was still considered to be severe - flooding both New Road and Tybridge Street and thus closing the City Bridge.

The impact of Worcester Bridge during extreme floods is quite noticeable and it tends to act as a partial dam to flood water forcing flood water to bypass the bridge on the western side. In addition this can raise the height of the flood water north of the bridge by as much as 150mm or more.

BARBOURNE BROOK

The Easter floods of 1998 (when 80-90 houses on the Blanquettes Estate (Beechwood Park) were flooded) illustrated that the Barbourne Brook could flood unusually rapidly in response to heavy rainfall. The Environment Agency investigated and found that the culverted sections of Barbourne Brook and Astwood Brook, a tributary to Barbourne, were prone to debris blockages and that flooding could be exacerbated by water running off the nearby M5 motorway. An improvement scheme cleared the culverts and installed trash screens to control debris and CCTV work has regularly been carried out throughout the culverted sections. The Agency has also reclassified Astwood Brook as a main river, having identified it as a critical watercourse and completed improvement works along a section behind Kingston Ave. Early indications show that this has reduced the potential flood level in the order of up to 200mm. Furthermore a rain gauge with an automatic alarm was installed at Hindlip. River level gauges were installed at Perdiswell and Shelley Close to monitor water levels in Barbourne Brook enabling the Environment Agency to issue warnings for the catchment via Floodline Warnings Direct. The Environment Agency has operational guidelines for monitoring and clearing debris accumulating against the trash screens and for issuing flood warnings. Nevertheless, Barbourne Brook remains prone to rapid flooding when there is sudden heavy rainfall; therefore short warning times may be inevitable during some weather conditions.

In June and July 2007 areas of the City were hit by the extraordinary and intense rainfall that affected much of the County. This in turn caused surface water flooding as well as flooding on the Teme and other small local watercourses.

THE FLOOD WARNING SCHEME

The Environment Agency operates a system for the dissemination of information which involves warnings being passed via the FWD system in which all residents and businesses registered on the scheme are contacted. Involvement in the scheme is essentially voluntary and the EA has successfully trialled a pre-registration scheme with an opt-out arrangement for those who do not wish to receive warnings; results of the trial show promising take-up rates and this approach may become the norm. Residents who wish to participate should be prepared to receive warnings via telephone any time day or night. Additionally, pre-recorded flood information is available via the EA's Floodline Service (0845 988 1188) and at the EA's website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk). This website also gives advice on protecting property from flooding, clearing-up after flooding and for the elderly. During serious floods, information updates are given on local radio stations (page 16).

The passage of information from the EA to all registered recipients is shown at Appendix A.

FWD operates for all properties both residential and commercial likely to be affected by a repeat of the 1947 Flood (which is one of the worst floods recorded at Worcester) classified as a 1% chance (1in 100) flood event.

The warnings given by FWD will give 4 possible public messages, Flood Watch, Flood Warning, Severe Flood Warning and All Clear. Professional partners also receive a Flood Watch before a Flood Warning is announced and an All Clear at the end of the flood event. With regard to Flood Watch, Flood Warning, Flood Warning Updates or Severe Flood Warnings these messages will be issued when the river is predicted to rise above levels set out overleaf measured from the gauging point at Worcester. On receipt of the warnings and to find out more details of what level the flood is expected to peak at, the recipient should telephone Floodline - see Appendix B.

Since there are very few agricultural properties in Worcester registered on the flood scheme some persons having a particular interest in livestock on low lying land have been included in schemes operated by Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Councils.

HOW DOES THE FLOOD WARNING SCHEME WORK?

RECEIPT OF FLOOD WARNINGS

Flood warnings for rivers in the City are despatched from EA West Area office in Tewkesbury via the Floodline Warnings Direct (FWD) system.

FURTHER INFORMATION FOR THE FLOOD STAGES

The warnings given will specify the date and time of the warning, the reach of the river it applies to and a description of the type of warning set out below, in this case for Bevere to Powick, including Worcester on the River Severn and Barbourne Brook

RIVER SEVERN

BARBOURNE BROOK

WHO SHOULD TAKE PART IN THE FLOOD WARNING SCHEME?

As mentioned previously the scheme is purely voluntary and the Environment Agency is pleased to include residents who own or live in properties which would be affected by flooding as shown on the indicative flood plain map, updated annually on the Environment Agency website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Participants should note that they may be contacted at any hour of the day or night and will need to make their own arrangements to ensure that the warnings can be received.

All participants must be reasonably easy to contact by landline and/or mobile telephone. Businesses need to make internal arrangements for appropriate members of staff to receive warnings outside normal working hours on behalf of the business and must re-register when their `on-call' staff and/or their contact numbers change.

The scheme operates primarily on a self-help basis although the City Council has chosen to provide a set level of service to assist property owners. This service set out on page 15 is provided on request, at no charge to domestic properties. The service can be provided to commercial properties (depending on resources), but a charge will apply. Equally higher standards of service can be provided on request at the discretion of the Council but a charge will be applied for all recipients.

To register on the flood warning scheme contact the Environment Agency (Appendix B).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF

RESIDENTS REGISTERED ON THE FLOOD WARNING SCHEME

1. It is your responsibility to ensure you receive the warnings and to facilitate this you must make your own arrangements.

2. Should you anticipate any period where you are likely to be away from home you should inform your neighbours and keep in touch with Floodline. If you register with the EA Floodline Warnings Direct Service you may register more than one telephone, including mobile telephones and you can register to receive warnings by Short Message Service (“text”) and fax. However, you cannot change the numbers given to suit holiday commitments.

3. Should you move house, please draw the scheme to the attention of the new purchaser and your own solicitor. The new purchaser will have to register by writing to or telephoning the Environment Agency at the address given at Appendix B.

4. Remember this is essentially a self help scheme. The City Council cannot be aware of your specific needs unless you contact them.

ACTION FOR RESIDENTS

It is for each resident to decide what action must be taken to safeguard their property and belongings.

Whilst it is often considered usual to provide sandbag protection it is in practice rarely effective for all but the shortest of periods. Indeed it can often impede the drainage of receding flood waters from properties creating more extensive cleansing problems afterwards. As a consequence the City Council does not currently offer this service. The only exception is in cases where properties may be affected by the action of bow waves caused by inconsiderate drivers passing through flooded sections of road. Sandbags are then placed at the discretion of the County Council - (but only usually as a last resort).

As an alternative to sandbags. There are many different types of flood protection products that can be fitted to your property. The choices you make will naturally be influenced by the level of flood risk in your area and the costs of a potential flood to your home or business. More information is available on the EA website and in the National Flood Forum's 'blue pages', both detailed below.

If resorting to the use of sandbagging the Environment Agency has produced a best practice guide again available on the website.

If flooding across thresholds is likely it is often better to lift carpets and store upstairs along with any portable electrical equipment. It may then be necessary to remove furniture and other heavy domestic items either to upper floors or from the building. Alternatively some items may be raised above flood level on bricks etc., but care should be taken to ensure such items remain stable and do not endanger safety. In severe cases evacuation may be required or desirable.

External items which cannot be removed to safety should be secured.

A safe and clear route both indoors and outdoors should be maintained and marked by posts etc., in order that when wading you do no encounter underwater obstructions, or inspection chambers and manholes where the covers may have become dislodged due to the flood.

For some of the suggested actions above you or your neighbours may require assistance. It would be helpful if you could ensure that your neighbours (particularly if elderly) do not suffer unnecessarily.

If measuring flood levels inside or adjacent to your property please try to relate your measurements to the threshold level of your front door (this usually equates to your ground floor level) and note the date and time at which you made them. This will assist at a later date in analysing flood levels in a particular area.

If you are going on holiday please give your neighbour (who needs to be registered on the scheme) a number where you or a friend/relative can be contacted and register with Floodline Warnings Direct to receive warnings via a mobile telephone that you take with you.

If you are concerned regarding a possible flood then telephone the Floodline number given (Appendix B)

Telephone the City Council to request any of the assistance specified on page 13 by contacting the Customer Service Centre or Operational Services (during the working week) or the out of hours Worcestershire Telecare number (Appendix B).In instances of severe flooding the Emergency Services prefer to see early evacuation of properties in a controlled fashion rather than having to perform rescues at a later stage as this can increase the risk not only to householders but also to Emergency Services employees. If you decide to evacuate your property please let either the Police or the City Council know and if you need to go to a rest centre then please contact the Strategic Housing Services Section at Worcester City Council (Appendix B).

Further advice for residents can be found on the Environment Agency Website.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/default.aspx

www.floodforum.org.uk

Self help for Residents

An invitation to join Worcester action against flooding (WAAF)

So what is WAAF?

'Worcester Action Against Flooding' was formed in September 2001 as a direct consequence of the disastrous floods in 2000.  All members of WAAF have first hand experience of the stress, disruption of life and the economic problems that comes with being flooded.

The aim is to work with all the agencies involved with managing floods in Worcester to reduce the impact that flooding has on the lives of many people who live and work in Worcester.

As a result of WAAF's lobbying, Worcester was one of the first recipients of the then new temporary defences (`Geo design barrier') which protected homes and businesses along Hylton Road. Due to the success of the temporary defence trials Hylton Road now has a permanent flood defence built, paid for by local levy funding.

WAAF is affiliated to the National Flood Forum, which is a registered charity dedicated to supporting the victims of flooding.  Useful information (such as the 'blue pages' directory which lists many of the flood protection products currently available) can be found on the National Flood Forum website:  www.floodforum.org.uk

WAAF is an informal friendly group whose meetings are now called when we feel it's necessary.  We normally meet in each others homes.  WAAF always welcomes new members and especially needs input from the Waterworks Road and Barbourne Brook areas.  For further details, please ring Mary Dhonau on (01905) 351933 or email [email address]

ACTION FOR WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL - HIGHWAYS CONTROL

1. To anticipate roads likely to be affected by flooding.

2. To arrange for signing of road closures and organisation of diversionary routes. (Network Control - 01905 768339).

3. To provide sandbags for highways only (as a last resort, e.g. if a road has been closed) or to help prevent bow-waves flooding properties.

4. To assist the Environment Agency in the deployment of the temporary flood barrier on Hylton Road.

5. To provide local media with up to date traffic news in relation to (2.) above.

6. To cleanse by removing river silt and other debris following floods of areas such as for example the riverside path of Kleve Walk between South Quay and Portland Walk, Waterworks Road (end of cul-de-sac by rear entrance to Pitchcroft), Hylton Road, Henwick Parade and Pitchcroft Lane.

If however this area is contaminated with raw sewage, as the combined sewer in this street will surcharge in some conditions, this is Severn Trent's responsibility. Each flood is different and therefore an inspection by the County Council needs to be carried out to ascertain the nature of the clean up.

ACTION FOR WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL

1. To identify properties likely to be affected by flooding.

2. To monitor the flood and regularly seek updated information from the Environment Agency.

3. To provide duck boards for access to flooded properties where conditions permit it to be carried out safely.

4. To provide residents with concrete blocks to assist with the storage of white goods.

5. To provide assistance to elderly or disabled persons in moving furniture and belongings to safety.**

6. To liaise with the Police in situations where evacuation may be required.

7. To provide mobile toilets where normal toilet facilities are no longer usable.

8. To provide dehumidifiers in special circumstances.

9. To provide, in extreme floods, rest centres for persons who have needed to evacuate their properties.

The City Council will decide what level of action is required.

*NB Commercial Properties requiring assistance should be referred to Operational Services direct. A charge for service provision will be made.

**Households that need assistance should contact Operational Services as soon as a flood warning is given (01905) 722468. This will allow as much time as possible to organise the necessary help.

MEDIA COVERAGE (LOCAL RADIO)

During the period of a prolonged flood similar to that experienced in January/February 1990 and more recently in November/December 2000, many citizens whose properties are affected or in imminent danger of being affected often require regular reassurance. Whilst it is imperative that the main form of communication will be through the Environment Agency via Floodline or the Floodline Warning Direct system, the local media will inevitably start broadcasting news of flooding. The information broadcast cannot be as precise as that required by those directly affected by flooding and should not conflict with information being given out via Floodline. The anticipated method of passing information to the media would be via press releases issued by the appropriate body, primarily the Environment Agency.

Responsibility for issuing information to the media will be shared between the EA and Worcester City Council in the following way.

Environment Agency - Information on current river levels and forecasts of anticipated changes in river levels. Warnings issued.

Worcester County Council

and Worcester City Council - Information on local roads and properties affected by flooding or likely to be affected.

If this proposal is instituted it must remain a secondary form of information and should be very strictly controlled.

The EA has set up a Recorded Message System called FLOODLINE which is available 24 hours a day for the price of a local call. The information given is regularly updated and will help give householders reassurance, see Appendix B.

BBC Hereford and Worcester, Radio Wyvern and other local radio stations to the area will also broadcast flooding news, including details of `Floodwatch'.

Radio Frequencies

FLOODED PROPERTIES - ELECTRICAL SAFETY

A fundamental danger arises when water produces a path between live conductors and neutral or earthed conductors. The resultant 'short-circuit' will vary in energy dependent on the fault level existing in that part of the installation. The danger is not removed when the flood water recedes as dampness will also allow short-circuits to develop.

The general advice would be as follows:-

i) Danger arising when flood water threatens the consumer's own installation

A consumer should be prepared to disconnect the installation, using the main switch when water threatens to engulf any electrical equipment including under floor wiring.

ii) Danger arising when flood water has engulfed the consumer's installation

A consumer should arrange for the installation to be dried out and tested prior to re-energising. Central Networks can offer this service on a commercial basis.

iii) Danger arising from flood water reaching the Central Networks service cut-out and meters

If any consumer perceives a risk of water reaching Central Networks equipment then they should notify Central Networks immediately. Central Networks will then take external action to make safe on an emergency basis.

Central Networks - all emergency calls: 0800 328 1111

APPENDIX A

FLOOD WARNING DECISION PROCESS GUIDE

N

APPENDIX B

SERVICES AND AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT

EMERGENCY FLOODING PROCEDURE

APPENDIX C

2

1

121523

21

October 2009

Optionally: telephone Floodline for details of Reach Flooding Predictions (0845 988 1188) or see EA Website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk).

You can interpolate levels from the Diglis Gauge to points upstream using the table at Appendix C although accuracy of this information is not guaranteed.

FLOOD WARNING UPDATE

FLOOD WARNING

Meaning: Flooding of low lying land and roads is expected. Be aware, be prepared, watch out!

Meaning: Flood Watches or Warnings are no longer in force for this area.

Meaning: Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now!

Meaning: Flooding of homes and businesses is expected. Act now!

ALL CLEAR

Warning received from FWD

FLOOD WATCH

SEVERE FLOOD WARNING