Services on standby in case of flooding

This was the exact recipe for flooding that the Environment Agency spelled out last week, when it warned that heavy rain while snow melted could put communities at risk.

But county fire chief Brian Hesler last night downplayed the risk.

Northumberland County Council and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service last week insisted they were ready for the thaw, and any flooding which may result.

The council has a flood action plan which includes steps that make sure all services are ready for any potential flooding, especially in 12 high-risk areas in the county - such as Morpeth and Rothbury which were badly hit in September 2008.

Yet Mr Hesler, chief fire officer and head of community safety for the council, told said
yesterday he has no concerns about flooding for Northumberland this weekend and immediately beyond, a message endorsed by the agency.

Information given to the fire chief yesterday lunchtime suggested there will be a gradual thaw with a small amount of rain, around 10 millimetres over a 24-hour period today, tomorrow, and Sunday.

Mr Hesler said that there is always a risk of being caught out by a rapid thaw and said his service will remain vigilant.

He said: "We have said all this before and been caught out so we want to remain prepared.

"There is always a potential for more rapid thaw. We are not going to stand down, we are
going to remain in a prepared state, really as a safety and precautionary step."

The fire chief said rivers in the county will rise and it may receive flood watch notices from the agency but added there are no severe flood warnings on any at present.

The agency last night confirmed it was not expecting any heavy flooding this weekend although it recognised this could change in the event of severe heavy rain and warned people in at-risk areas to be on their guard.

An Environment Agency spokesman explained: "There may be an increased risk of flooding in some areas nationwide over the weekend due to predicted heavy rain and the partial thawing of snow due to slightly higher temperatures, and we continue to closely monitor weather conditions and river levels.

"While snow is deep in some places, the small amount of water that results from snow melt is not expected to cause significant flooding problems if it happens steadily over many days.

"With the forecast rainfall, this thawing may happen more quickly."

The British Red Cross has urged people to prepare against flooding.

Martin Annis, head of Emergency Planning, said: "The warning that flooding is likely in some parts of the country should be taken seriously.

"We know from our experience in Cockermouth late last year and from the floods in 2007 that a few simple acts can make all the difference."

"We urge people to observe simple tips when preparing.

"This includes packing essential items and documents they will need if evacuated, preparing an emergency kit with water and first-aid pack; as well as keeping a regular check of TV and radio updates."

Jack Phillips, 89, of Armstrong Cottages, Rothbury, was last night hoping that the thaw would occur slowly.

He was forced out of his home elsewhere in the sheltered housing complex when the nearby River Coquet flooded in September 2008. That property was damaged as were his belongings and he only returned to Armstrong Cottages in October.

Yesterday morning, Mr Phillips said there was about four or five inches of snow outside his home, following a heavy overnight fall.

He said: "I would like to see a thaw but on the other hand I do not want a flood. If there is a sudden thaw it will be pretty grim I should think. I suppose a slow thaw is the best thing. But we will just have to wait and see what happens."

COUNTING THE COST OF GRIT

Councils are counting the cost of extra grit used to keep roads open during the cold spell.

Over the last four weeks almost 89,000 tonnes of grit have been spread on our region's roads as extreme temperatures and snow persisted.

Northumberland County Council has used 21,000 tonnes of salt on its 5,000 miles of roads, compared with a normal four-week period at this time of year when around 2,500 tonnes would be spread.

For the latest updates on refuse collection from the council, go to northumberland.gov.uk