Storm Christoph Update - 20/01/21

Cheshire Police have declared a Major Incident Standby in respect of possible flooding risk, over the next two to three days, related to the incoming weather system ‘Storm Christoph’.

Cheshire East Council officers are working alongside colleagues from Cheshire Resilience Forum (CRF) partner agencies, including Cheshire Police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, United Utilities and the Environment Agency to plan and prepare for possible flooding in Cheshire East.

At this stage a Major Incident has not been declared, but CRF partners are meeting daily to prepare and assess and review the incident status as the situation develops.

See below for a Cheshire Police press release regarding the situation.

In the meantime, it is important that local communities, residents, businesses and Town and Parish councils understand their local flood risk and what to do in case of a flood emergency.

Firstly, please visit the Environment Agency Flood information service webpage to understand the current local flood risk in your area. Look at both the fluvial (river) flood risk and surface water flood risk. Information on long-term flood risk can be found here: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk/map Please also follow the links on these pages to sign up to the Environment Agency flood warnings in your area.

Secondly, familiarise yourself with the Cheshire Resilience Forum Multi – Agency Emergency Response Manual. This sets out the co-ordinated response of agencies across Cheshire East it is found at: https://cheshireresilience.org.uk/how-to-prepare-for-an-emergency this includes Cheshire East Multi-Agency Emergency Response Manual.

Thirdly, consider setting up a flood action community group: contact the FloodHub with help establishing this: https://thefloodhub.co.uk

Remember - In case of an emergency where there is a risk to life always dial 999 and ask for assistance.

Key Flooding Contact Details:
The following gives guidance on whom to contact about various types of flooding.

Always contact the emergency services first (999) if you or a family member is in immediate danger.

Flooding from a Public Sewer

United Utilities

Report sewer flooding 0345 6723 723

www.unitedutilities.com

Flooding from a Burst Water Mains

United Utilities

Report a leak 0800 330033

www.unitedutilities.com

Flooding from the Public Highway, drains or ordinary watercourses (non-main river)

Cheshire East Council

To report an incident 0300 123 5020

To report an incident out of working hours 0300 123 5025 (for use after 5pm and before 9am, including weekends.)

Flooding from a Main River

Environment Agency

General enquiries: 03708 506 506 (Mon-Fri, 8am – 6pm)

Incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60 (24-hour service)

Floodline: 0345 988 1188 (24 hour service)

General enquiries email enquiries@environment–agency.gov.uk

Following a flood event

Please contact the following for advice after a flood event:

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/planning/flooding/flooding.aspx

Council tax: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_tax/reductions/special-circumstances-council-tax-reductions-section-13a.aspx

Business rates: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/business/business_rates/business-rates-relief/hardship-rate-relief.aspx

Emergency housing: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/housing/housing_options/homelessness/homelessness.aspx

Flood resilience and property level protection: https://thefloodhub.co.uk

Insurance advice: https://thefloodhub.co.uk

Clean up advice: https://thefloodhub.co.uk

Sign up to flood warnings: https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings

Remember to report your flooding to the appropriate organisation to ensure it is correctly investigated. If in doubt of who to call, please report it to a number of organisations.