Forward thinking can reduce flood risks
Wealden District Council is organising a free one-day event for people concerned about the risk of flooding.
The Flood Fair is taking place at Uckfield Civic Centre on Tuesday January 8 from 2pm to 7.30pm. It will bring together a range of experts and product suppliers who can give advice on how best to protect homes and properties from flooding.
“Flood Fairs are being held up and down the country to raise the awareness of ways that new technologies and strategies can be used to reduce the effects of flooding,” said Councillor Claire Dowling, Cabinet member in charge of Emergency Planning.
“The threat of flooding can be a tremendous worry. It can affect anybody, anywhere. We have teamed up with the National Flood Forum, the Environment Agency, East Sussex Fire and Rescue and a number of leading companies in the flood prevention field, to provide an event where householders and business owners can come along and see how they can protect their properties from flooding. This summer’s flash floods and an increasing realisation about the effects of climate change highlight the need to be vigilant and think ahead.”
“If you are concerned about the possible effects of flooding, please come along to the Flood Fair on January 8.”
Improved forms of communications are now being used to provide more detailed early warnings of severe weather and river flooding. At the same time, new technologies can add greater protection to homes with the creation of air bricks which can protect wall cavities from incoming flood waters and hi-tech sandbags which are easy to store but can rapidly be used to create a barrier against flood water.
The Wealden Flood Fair is being supported by the National Flood Forum, the Environment Agency, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Uck Valley Flood Forum, Uckfield Town Council, East Sussex Fire & Rescue and East Sussex County Council.
