Flood wardens being trained in Worksop to prepare for extreme weather

Preparations are underway to protect Bassetlaw residents from flooding risks in the coming year.
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A “major flood exercise” will take place in 2022 and flood wardens are being trained in parts of Nottinghamshire to deal with extreme weather.

During Nottinghamshire County Council’s communities committee meeting on December 15, the ’emergency planning’ department of the local authority updated councillors on plans to deal with extreme weather in the county.

The major flood exercise will allow for multi-agency flood plans to be put in place and for lessons to be learnt from recent flooding events.

The River Ryton floods in Worksop in 2019.The River Ryton floods in Worksop in 2019.
The River Ryton floods in Worksop in 2019.

Documents show that county council emergency planning staff joined with the Environment Agency and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to deliver training to new flood wardens in Burton Joyce and Stoke Bardolph.

The wardens will be given roles and responsibilities, and actions to take before, during and after a flood.

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Group manager for emergency planning and registration, Robert Fisher said during the meeting: “Flooding is always going to be a focus of attention at any time of year.

“Early preparations have begun for a major flood exercise to take place in 2022 to rehearse our preparedness for future flood events.

“The report highlights the work we have been doing with the Environment Agency and the fire service to train flood wardens.

“Under current Covid precautions we are not able to offer that training in person, however, we can offer virtual events.”

This week a virtual presentation was given to volunteers in Shireoaks and Rhodesia in an event promoted by councillor Sybil Fielding.

Further plans for winter weather are also under way, including the provision of 4x4s to help social care and other sectors to safely drive in snowy and icy conditions.

Councillors unanimously voted in favour of “commending the work undertaken by the emergency planning team and agreed to receive further updates on key activities of the team.”