KEEP EYE ON SITUATION

Brigg suffered some flooding last summer during the torrential downpours, and the Environment Agency is taking no chances this time, issuing an overnight weather warning. Officials say people in Lincolnshire are advised to keep a close eye on the local situation. Here's the full text:

People in the Eastern counties, and Lincolnshire, should keep a close eye on water levels in their area if we get the heavy downpours forecast by the Met office to hit tonight (June 2/3). The Environment Agency is concerned that rain could cause flooding from rivers and/ or surface water flooding in the Eastern counties and Lincolnshire.
The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation round the clock and will issue flood warnings for river catchments as necessary. Flood warnings can not be issued for surface water flooding but information is available from the Environment Agency on what to do before, during and after a flood. Please act on any flood warnings issued.
Harvey Bradshaw, Environment Agency regional director, said: "The heavy downpours forecast could cause surface water flooding and flooding from rivers. Now is the time for people to check they are prepared in case of flooding and to keep a close eye on their local situation."
To find out how you can prepare for flooding, call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the Environment Agency web site at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Flood warnings are updated every 15 minutes on the Environment Agency website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk which also contains lots of help and advice on how to prepare for flooding.

Helpful advice has also been issued:


What to do when you Hear a Flood Warning
* Watch/listen out for warnings on wwww.thisisbrigg.co.uk or radio and TV and phone Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for more information.
* Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety.
* Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly.
* Put sandbags or flood boards in place - but make sure your property is ventilated. Plug sinks/baths.
* Be ready to turn off gas and electricity (get help if needed). Unplug electrical items and move them upstairs if possible.
* Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities - you may be evacuated to a rest centre.
* Do as much as you can in daylight. Doing anything in the dark will be a lot harder, especially if the electricity fails.

Stay Safe in a Flood
* Visit www.thisisbrigg.co.uk and/or listen to the local news and to the emergency services who will advise if evacuation is necessary and check on elderly relatives and make sure they are OK.
* Floods can kill. Don't try to walk or drive through floodwater - six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car. Manhole covers may have come off and there may be other hazards you can’t see.
* Never try to swim through fast flowing water - you may get swept away or be struck by an object in the water.
* Don't walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges if possible - they may collapse in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves. Beware of stones and pebbles being thrown up by waves.

LIKE WEATHERMAN MICHAEL FOOT WHO FAMOUSLY JOKED ABOUT THE HURRICANE, NO-ONE IN AUTHORITY IS TAKING ANY CHANCES. ONCE THERE'S A THREAT OF HEAVY RAIN IN LINCS, WE CAN EXPECT THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY TO PUT OUT AN ALERT, JUST IN CASE. WE WILL KEEP THIS HANDY INFORMATION ON BRIGG BLOG SO, IF AN EMERGENCY DOES OCCUR, READERS CAN RETURN TO IT AND REFER TO THE USEFUL ADVICE IT CONTAINS. WHY NOT PRINT IT OFF, AND KEEP IT NEAR YOUR PHONE?