Rapid Response Project – helping communities become more resilient to flooding
Tony LeneyCommunity Engagement Officer – Rapid Response Project
Environment Agency
Aim
To introduce the Rapid Response Project
Brief outline of flood risk in Torbay
Offer support to community partnerships to help develop a community flood plan
Rapid Response Project
Flash flooding
Flooding in Torbay
Community Flood Plans
Next steps
RAPID RESPONSE CATCHMENTS – EXTREME FLASH FLOODING
Bruton 1917
Cannington 1924
Lynmouth 1952
Martinstown 1955
Chew Valley 1968
Chulmleigh 1982Polperro 1993
Boscastle 2004
Ottery St Mary 2008
St Ives 2009
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2010. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100026380. © Environment Agency.
EXTREME FLASH FLOODING - Definition
Short lead time and short duration – flashy
Heavy intense rainfall
Volume and velocity of water involved
Potential to cause material damage
Urgent threat to life
‘Hazard’ not a ‘risk’ – probability not taken into account
WHERE ARE THE RAPID RESPONSE CATCHMENTS
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE
Communities at risk know they are at risk
Communities are prepared
Communities can respond
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE
1. Communities know they are risk
Preference:
Parish Councils (or equivalent) are aware and they have communicated it to the community via newsletters etc.
Fallback:
Alternatively we can write to the householders in the at risk communities (current proposal for Torbay)
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE
2. Communities are prepared
There is a community owned flood plan in place which details who, what, where and when.
Produced by the community for use by the community.
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE
3. Communities can respond
We (The Environment Agency / Torbay Council) can (if required) provide triggers to activate the flood plan
Triggers depend on time it takes to carry out flood plan actions
Understanding confidence of severe impact v lead time to flooding
“The warnings work according to the river levels whereas actually weought to maybe be giving people warning when we’re expecting excessive
rainfall”
David Cameron, 19th November 2010 (BBC Cornwall website)
Rainfall Triggers
Pathfinder Project
Flash flooding
Flooding in Torbay
Community Flood Plans
Next steps
Sources of flooding in Torbay
Coastal
Rivers and streams
Surface water
Groundwater
Areas at risk from surface water flooding
Brixham 1,675 properties
Galmpton 150
Paignton 4,168
Torquay 3,908
Based on information from Torbay PFRA
Rapid Response Catchments
Higher and Lower Brixham Watercourses
Galmpton
Occombe Valley (Preston)
Clennon Valley
Cockington Stream
Torre Valley
River Fleet
Rapid Response Project
Flash flooding
Flooding in Torbay
Community Flood Plans
Next steps
Provide information and support
What to do before, during and after a flood.
Specific flash flood messages for RRC communities (currently being developed)
Three day flood risk forecast and rivers and sea levels online.
Riparian responsibilities.
Talk to communities about their flood risk.
Provide guidance and support to develop flood plans and flood groups.
Community Flood Plans
It provides practical advice and information about what to do if it floods.
Clarifies roles and responsibilities during a flood.
Templates and guidance available
Support communities to develop and test plansTraining for community volunteers
Community Flood Plans
It provides practical advice and information about what to do if it floods.
Clarifies roles and responsibilities during a flood.
Rapid Response Project
Flash flooding
Flooding in Torbay
Community Flood Plans
Next steps
Next steps
Consider if you want to develop a flood plan for your community
Request community flood plan pack from the Environment Agency
Environment Agency and Torbay Council (Dave Stewart) can attend meetings with individual Community Partnerships