‘Flooding. You can’t prevent it. You can prepare for it’, is the message from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), as it launches a month-long advertising campaign in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and Moray. The campaign will promote SEPA’s Floodline service as a key tool in planning for and coping with flooding.

Floodline - 0845 988 1188 - is a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year public information service providing Scotland-wide flood alert information through Flood Watch, more specific alerts for areas covered by Flood Warning schemes, and general advice on how to prepare for and cope with flooding. Flooding can also be reported through Floodline. The service is supported by live flood updates at www.sepa.org.uk/flooding.

After November’s serious flooding in the North-east, a series of bus and radio adverts will urge those who live, work or travel in flood risk areas to act now to prepare for the possibility of more winter flooding.

Richard Brown, SEPA Hydrology Unit Manager for Highlands and Grampian said,

“If recent events in the North-east proved anything, it is that flooding is a natural occurrence and will happen. While official bodies like SEPA, local authorities and the police all play a part in giving whatever advance warning of flooding and assistance is possible, the person who can do most to help is you.

“There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself, your family and possessions. If you only do one thing, call SEPA’s Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for practical advice and to find out how you can fast track to flooding information for your area.

“I would urge anyone concerned to make use of Floodline and be prepared. Please don’t wait until flood waters rise again, it may be too late.”

SEPA hopes the bus adverts running through North-east areas including Moray, Banff, Buchan and Aberdeenshire will help to highlight the benefits of its Floodline service to those most at risk.


ENDS

Notes

In certain parts of the country where serious flooding has been experienced in the past, a number of local flood warning schemes are operated by SEPA in partnership with local authorities and the police. There are 42 such schemes and more detailed flood prediction alerts are available for these areas. People within existing flood warning schemes may receive warnings of flooding from the media, Police and Local Authorities. Since the introduction of Floodline, a set of easily recognisable codes - FLOOD WATCH, FLOOD WARNING, SEVERE FLOOD WARNING and ALL CLEAR - has been in use across the UK.