Communities across the Great Ouse catchment are strengthening their flood preparedness, with 35 communities having already developed flood plans and received start-up emergency flood kits. These kits typically include items such as high visibility jackets, submersible pumps, and temporary barriers.
CCTV cameras are also being installed at flood-risk locations within the catchment, allowing communities, the Environment Agency, and partners to monitor conditions remotely. Nine cameras are currently in place, and a tenth was installed in Newport Pagnell last week. This allows residents to check water levels online.
Adam Foster, Flood Risk Manager from the Environment Agency, stated that building resilience is crucial due to extreme weather, with both flood and drought placing communities under growing pressure. The Environment Agency is encouraging communities to prepare for future risks as part of its Flood Action Week campaign.
Households are advised to check their flood risk, prepare a flood plan, and sign up for flood warnings. Further advice and resources are available through Flood Action Online.