New help offered to beat flood threats (From Warrington Guardian)

New help offered to beat flood threats

FLOOD warnings are to be issued to people in 350 properties in mid Cheshire.

Companies and residents in the buildings in Northwich will be able to sign up to the Environment Agency's revamped Floodline Warnings Direct Service.

The 350 buildings include homes and businesses at Market Halls, Chesterway, Percy Street, Heber Walk, Queen Street and off Weir Street and Yarwood Close, as well as Witton Church Walk Primary School.

They could all be at risk of flooding from the Weaver and the Dane in extreme conditions.

When the Environment Agency's forecasting and river level gauges suggest that flooding is likely, the Agency can issue the warnings automatically to the properties, which are most at risk.

Simon Heckle, who leads the Environment Agency's Flood Incident Management Team in the area, said: "Flooding is a serious issue and of course, we all hope that it won't affect us.

"However, it's very important to be prepared should the worst happen.

"By issuing specific, targeted flood warnings in a range of different ways we can give people a chance to take steps to protect themselves and their property if flooding does seem likely.

"So we strongly advise that people do sign up."