By Grimsby and Cleethorpes flood sirens to be decommissioned
More than 80% of the 33,000 properties at risk of flooding in the area now receive advanced warnings through the direct-messaging service, making the old sirens redundant.
The towns’ 18 flood sirens were installed in 2006 to help warn the vast majority of at-risk properties.
Now, 14 years later, the Environment Agency’s Floor Warning service advanced-warning messages are delivered to around 3,750 more properties than the sirens were ever able to reach, with more accurate, tailored and reliable messages than the sirens could.
Using the latest forecasting and modelling techniques, the Flood Warning Service alerts people to the possibility of flooding many hours – and sometimes days – in advance.
It sends timely, tailored, location-specific messages with exact details of what to expect, when, and how to react.
Ben Thornely, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“We know how devastating flooding can be, and we want people to have the most accurate and timely information when flooding is expected”.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn, North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said:
“We’re aware similar system updates have worked well in other areas and we share the Environment Agency’s expectation that advances in technology will make it easier for people to get any flood messages as quickly as possible should the need arise”.
To give the best service, the Flood Warning Service relies on people choosing to sign up.
People are urged to sign up now via 0345 988 1188 or GOV.UK/Flood.
Since the sirens were installed in 2006, the Environment Agency has invested around £20m into the area’s flood defences.
That includes a £19m upgrade along the Humber and at the port of Grimsby, and improvements along the River Freshney.
The Environment Agency plans to stop using the flood sirens from 31 December 2020.
