RESIDENTS in the Tyne Valley are a step ahead when it comes to finding out about the risk of flooding in the area.

For more than 87 per cent of the homes at risk have signed up to the Environment Agency’s Floodline Warnings Direct service, which issues alerts and information by phone, email and text message.

Out of 187 homes at risk along the river in the villages of Warden, Corbridge and Haydon Bridge, 164 householders are registered.

But the agency is urging more people to sign up to ensure they have access to the latest flood risk information.

Ben McCarthy, flood resilience team leader for Northumberland, Durham and Tees, said: “While we work hard together with our partners to reduce the risk of flooding to properties across the North-East, there are many useful precautions people can take, including ensuring they know their flood risk and signing up to receive flood warnings.

“The Tyne Valley is a great example of a community engaging with the Floodline Warnings Direct service, and it means they are a step ahead when it comes to knowing what’s happening where they live.

“Flooding can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, with as many as one in six properties at risk of flooding in the UK.

“So it’s essential that people understand the risks that flooding poses to property and personal safety, and that they find out what they can do to keep themselves warned and informed against any future flood risk.”

In Tynedale, many communities have appointed volunteer flood wardens who are often the eyes and ears on the ground in emergency situations and feed back vital information to the Environment Agency.

Some also have an adopted plan of action, known as a community flood plan, to react quickly when flooding occurs.

* Acomb – the village has up to 12 active flood wardens and a community flood plan in place.

* Haltwhistle – flood wardens have been working with the town council and the Northumbria community flood engagement officer to produce a community flood plan for the village. Efforts are being made to recruit more wardens to help put the plan into action should a flood occur.

* Kielder – five flood wardens are active in the village and a community flood plan is in place.

* Greenhead – three flood wardens are active in the village and a community flood plan is in place.

* Corbridge – two flood wardens have been recruited in the village.

* Ovingham/Bywell – two flood wardens are active in the area and a joint community flood plan is in place.

Ben said: “Hopefully this paints a picture of how well prepared for flooding many communities are in the Tyne catchment. But we’re always on the lookout for new flood wardens, so if people are interested they can email our local office at northeast-newcastle@environment-agency.gov.uk and one of the team will get in touch.

“Likewise, if a group of residents wants help setting up a flood plan for their community, they can contact us using the same address.”

Check to see if free flood warnings are available in your community and sign up by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or by visiting the website.

As well as checking flood risk, residents can find out how to protect their personal safety and property by visiting the Environment Agency website at www.gov.uk/floodsdestroy