Homes At Risk From Flooding

20 May 2011, 16:34 | Updated: 20 May 2011, 16:41

If you get a letter telling you you're house is at risk of flooding - don't ignore it

That's the message from Norfolk County Council who have been sending them out to areas they have found could be damaged if we get lots of rain.

Thousands of people across the county have been receiving the letters telling them they need to find out what to do if there is heavy rainfall to prevent flooding.

Over recent years severe flooding has hit parts of England hard, leading to the Government setting up the Pitt Review.

The Review produced a number of recommendations, and as a result Norfolk County Council has been working with other partners, (including local and district councils, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water and specialist consultants URS/Scott Wilson) to draw up a Surface Water Management Plan.

Parts of Norfolk have been identified as being vulnerable to flooding during extreme rainfall.

Mark Ogden is a Surface Water Project Manager from Norfolk County Council and told Heart people need to take notice of the letters: "People have to take it seriously. It is a very important study that we've done and the consequences of flooding are very important. Things can be damaged and they could be irreplaceble so we're really trying to get out to people before it does happen, explain what it means to them so they at least know the potential consequences and what they can do. "

People who's homes are at risk will be invited to workshops to find out about the level of risk to their property, and discuss the implications with experts from the Environment Agency, URS/Scott Wilson, Anglian Water and local councils. They will also be able to contribute their own experiences, and consider ways in which flooding risks can be reduced for themselves and for others.

Their contributions will help the preparation of an Action Plan which will include a range of measures to reduce the flooding risk, from immediate steps that householders can take, through to long-term improvements in drainage infrastructure, such as storm water drains or storage.

Suffolk County Council has told Heart that they are not planning on doing anything similar at the moment.