Householders in areas of Swaledale can now sign up for a free warning system to give them more time to prepare for the risk of flooding and move themselves, their families and valuables to safety.
The Environment Agency has been updating its flood warning systems across the region, using new data to provide more accurate alerts to help communities to be better prepared for flooding.
As a result of this, 61 properties in Reeth and Low Fremington, near Arkle Beck, who are at risk of flooding are now eligible, for the new flood warning service.
Residents can find out if they are eligible to receive flood warnings, and also register, by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or by visiting the website www.gov.uk/flood.
Heather Cottrill, from the Environment Agency’s flood resilience team said: “Arkle Beck can rise and flow quite rapidly, but this new warning aims to alert the community in a timely manner, giving them more time to prepare, and to be aware of flooding so that they do not put themselves at danger.”
The Environment Agency is also appealing for new volunteer flood wardens from the community.
If you are an active member of the community, know where the vulnerable residents are, can offer support to authorities during a flood event and want to help Reeth and Low Fremington be prepared for flooding, then you can request further information by emailing YorkshireFloodResilience@environment-agency.gov.uk.
From 2015 to 2021 the Government plans to reduce the risk of flooding from rivers, the sea, groundwater and surface water and from coastal erosion for at least 300,000 homes.
