Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser | News | Wee County homes at risk from winter flooding

Thursday, 4th December, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 17th October, 2007 12:30

Wee County homes at risk from winter flooding

By Jamie MacDonald

RESIDENTS in many areas of Clackmannanshire are being warned their homes face an increased risk of being flooded this winter.

And the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is urging people to be prepared for the worst.

As reported in the Advertiser earlier this year, SEPA has released its ‘flood map’ which indicates that towns such as Alloa, Alva, Clackmannan and Kincardine are in danger of flooding.

David Faichney, SEPA’s flood unit manager, said, “The indications are that climate change is leading to warmer, wetter winters in Scotland, which will probably lead to more frequent flooding.

“We want people to be aware of the risk and to be prepared if it happens to them.

“The chances of flooding will be higher in the east, even up in areas such as Alloa.

“By 2080 scientists think floods will be twice as common as they are just now, and any increase in coastal surges would affect the Forth making floods more frequent.”

People in the Wee County are being urged to check SEPA’s flood map to see if their home is one of the 100,000 across the country deemed to have at least a 0.5 per cent chance of flooding each year.

Last winter saw serious floods in Stirlingshire, and there was also flooding in Pennan in the Highlands and England during the summer.

David said, “Normally flooding happens over the winter. People usually think it is an isolated event but it is like rolling a dice.

“The indications are that climate change will probably lead to more frequent flooding in Scotland.”

SEPA advise people to take the following precautions:

p make sure you have adequate insurance to cover home and contents from flooding.

p keep insurance details, contact numbers and medication somewhere safe and easily accessible.

p make a flood kit that includes personal documents, torch, waterproof clothing, first aid kit and blankets.

p store valuable and sentimental items in a high place.

p make sure you know where to turn off your gas, electricity and water.

David went on, “Settlements along the River Forth are quite vulnerable. I think all councils are looking at flood awareness and prevention as the single biggest challenge facing them in the future.”

The Scottish Government is currently examining flood management schemes across the country and it will soon launch a national plan to combat the effects of flooding.

“The main reason for the flood map was to highlight the fact that we shouldn’t be increasing the amount of houses built on flood plains, any sensible society would not make that a problem,” said David.

“People need to be aware of the risk – a lot of people assume the local authority will help them, but they are not obliged to.”

He added, “We can’t stop flooding but we can help people minimise the disruption it causes.”

SEPA’s floodline, which has up to date news on flood warnings across Scotland, is available 24-hours each day on 0845 988 1188. To see if your home is at risk of flooding you can view SEPA’s flood map at www.sepa.org.uk

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