THE Environment Agency is appealing for people to volunteer as flood wardens as they work with community groups to ensure Northumberland is ready for winter.

Flood wardens help ensure the Environment Agency's flood warning messages reach the local community and the correct action is taken before, during, and after a flood, working in line with their pre-prepared Community Flood Plan.

Outside of a flood event, they help raise awareness of flooding issues in their local community, encourage people to register to receive free flood warnings and provide information to partners about vulnerable people or properties in the flood plain.

Acomb Flood Group recently held their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to update their Community Flood Plan for this winter, and Hexham Town Council and the Environment Agency are working together to create a new Community Flood Plan to improve the town's resilience to flooding.

Prudhoe flood wardens recently attended an Environment Agency exercise at Druridge Bay to see some of the incident response equipment and processes in action.

Colin Hall, Environment Agency Flood Engagement Officer for Northumberland, said: "We're already seeing the impacts of climate change in the UK and even as we reduce emissions, the damage already done is resulting in more extreme weather and increased likelihood of flooding.

"That's why we're helping local communities adapt to the impacts of climate change by taking positive action, such as building new flood defences at Ponteland and at Hexham Industrial Estates. We also have 6,500 trained staff ready to operate existing flood defences, pumps and barriers across the country this winter.

“Unfortunately we cannot prevent all flooding, so it’s vital that everyone knows their flood risk and how to keep loved ones, property and possessions safe. Community Flood Plans are a great way to do this, with Flood Warden Groups acting as the link between the community and the Environment Agency so people know what to do before, during and after a flood.

“As well as helping communities with the development of these plans, I’ve been including community flood groups in our winter ready preparations so we can better understand each other’s role and improve Tynedale’s resilience to the impact of flooding.”

Anyone interested in volunteering as a Flood Warden can contact Colin Hall on colin.hall@environment-agency.gov.uk

To find out how to Prepare, Act, Survive during a flood, and to sign up to receive free flood warnings, visit https://www.gov.uk/prepare-for-flooding