Early Rainfall Monitors
Southwell Flood Forum are currently in the process of developing a larger Street Rep network and Community Emergency Plan for the whole town including Flood Wardens and the road closure scheme.
However with the current weather situation and the fact that the town flooded this time of year in 2007 and 2013 we want to put in place an interim Rain Monitoring Team, who monitor weather forecasts and are particularly vigilant in the event of a severe weather situation.
We will not expect you do anything other than monitor key locations that are known to be the first places to flood and then simply text out to the rest of the group.
We do NOT want you to put yourselves in any dangerous situations or do anything other than look at your local area and report back to the group as a situation develops
We propose to communicate with each other via email and text message so it is vital that you have a mobile phone and are able to set up a group contact list, ideally using a smart phone with internet access.
A contact list of all the Monitors will be provided as soon as we have confirmation from the people who are willing to take on this role.
The ‘Early Warning’ Process
|
Stage |
Action |
Guide |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | All sign up to the Met Office web site and receive free severe weather warnings via email – click here. Also the yr.no web site which gives hour by hour rain forecast |
We do not expect people to monitor these sites day and night, just be aware of them and know how to use them |
| 1 | Once the MET office issue a weather warning for our area or any of the group have concerns about any approaching weather fronts, email the group and decide if we are to go to stage 2 | As an individual you may wish to go to stage 2 and simply go and look at any key location across the town.You do not have to go to stage 2. It is all about your judgement of the situation.. |
| 2 | Monitor situation with regard the weather and rainfall. If you feel it warrants it ,visit your key known vulnerable locations and either email or text the group your judgement. | We do not expect people to sit outside in the rain all day and all night – just to keep an eye out. The best advice would be to drive to your vulnerable location and remain in your car if possible |
| 3 | As weather deteriorates and you have serious concerns, immediately text or call the group to discuss further action.
REMAIN SAFE AT ALL TIMES |
This means all the group activates whatever local plans you have for such events. This may range from putting out your flood barriers to knocking on your immediate neighbours’ doors to make people aware of the situation |
