That’s the message the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) will be promoting at the Scottish Borders Flood Fayre this Saturday (5 October 2002). As the final event of SEPA’s Flood Awareness Week, the Flood Fayre will provide an opportunity for householders in the Borders to find out what precautions should be taken if their property is at risk of flooding.

It’s also an opportunity for SEPA to remind householders of the essential Floodline number – 0845 9881188. That’s the number everyone who thinks their property is at risk of flooding should call for updated information on the situation in their area. There’s a Floodline Information Pack choc-full of advice for householders and that will be available on the day or by calling Floodline 0845 988 1188.

Radio adverts have appeared on Radio Borders and a poster and leaflet campaign is running through the Scottish Library Network. And look out for the Floodline ads on the back of your bus – buses in the Borders will be reminding you of the Floodline number from mid-October. Since its launch in November 2001, SEPA’s Floodline service has been used by over 60 000 customers and in the south and east of Scotland SEPA have issued over 264 Flood Watches, 182 Flood Warnings 11 Severe Flood Warnings.

David Faichney, Senior Hydrologist on SEPA’s National Flood Warning Development Team said: “The focus of Flood Awareness Week is to encourage more people to act now to prepare for flooding and the Scottish Borders Flood Fayre is an opportunity for householders to come and speak to us about what precautions they can take if their property is at risk from flooding.

“In some areas of Scotland, flooding can occur quickly resulting in householders and businesses being taken by surprise without time to prepare for the consequences. If you are concerned about the flood risk in your area, contact Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the SEPA website on www.sepa.org.uk. Floodline provides information on our Scotland-wide Flood Watch service and the 42 Local Flood Warning schemes operating in Scotland. Flood warnings are posted live on the website and updated as soon as the situation changes. Likewise, the recorded telephone message is also updated immediately.”

“Traditionally, October is the start of the season when river flooding can occur, so we urge people not to wait until it’s too late to find out about how they can prepare for flooding. If people only do one thing then they should call Floodline to find out if they are at risk and what they can do. The cost of doing nothing could be huge, emotionally and financially. A recent report by the Scottish Executive estimates that flooding causes an average of £20 million damage to property and infrastructure every year. Flooding - you can’t prevent it but you can prepare for it.”

Allan Wilson, Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister said: "In the recent Comprehensive Spending Review, the Scottish Executive pledged more money than ever before for robust flood defences but that must also work in tandem with increased awareness.

"Flooding is taken very seriously by the Scottish Executive through a number of initiatives. The wide-ranging 'Do a Little, Change a Lot' environmental awareness campaign looks at perceptions and attitudes to the environment and how our lifestyles can affect a climate change, a contributing factor in flooding.

"You can't prevent flooding, but you can prepare for it and SEPA's Flood Awareness Week provides the opportunities for the publicto heed advice and be prepared should flooding occur."

The Scottish Borders Flood Protection Fayre takes place on Saturday 5 October at St Ninian’s Church Hall, High Street, Galashiels. To raise awareness of flood prevention measures the public can take, there will be a range of flood prevention products on show and SEPA hydrologists will be on hand to provide information on Floodline.



ENDS

Notes for journalists:

1. SEPA hydrologists and Floodline staff will be available for interview at the event. Contact Emma Hargreaves on 01786 457700 for more information.

2. SEPA designated the week beginning Saturday 28 September as Flood Awareness Week and throughout the seven days has been urging people in flood risk areas in the south and east of Scotland to take action to prepare for flooding.

3. Scottish Executive report ‘Climate Change: Flooding Occurrences Review’ is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/kd01/lightgreen/ccfo-00.asp

4. In November 2001, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), with financial assistance from the Scottish Executive, established Floodline 0845 988 1188. Floodline gives information about potential flooding and advice on how to reduce the impact of floods when they do happen.

5. SEPA has hydrologists on flood warning duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Monitoring of weather forecasts, catchment conditions and river levels allow SEPA’s hydrologists to deliver flood warning to SEPA’s 42 Flood Warning Schemes. Through Floodline, SEPA also provides a Flood Watch service across Scotland, keeping the public, emergency services and local authorities informed of potential flooding.

6. FLOOD WATCH is available for all of Scotland. FLOOD WARNING and SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS are issued to those covered by the 42 existing flood warning schemes. Remember - they apply only to existing flood warning scheme areas! (Call Floodline 0845 988 1188 with your Postcode to find out the Floodline quickdial code for your area. www.sepa.org.uk/flooding)