Rapid Response Project – helping communities become more resilient to flooding Tony Leney Community Engagement Officer – Rapid Response Project Environment Agency

Aim To introduce the Rapid Response Project Brief outline of flood risk in Torbay Offer support to community partnerships to help develop a community flood plan

Rapid Response Project Flash flooding Flooding in Torbay Community Flood Plans Next steps

RAPID RESPONSE CATCHMENTS – EXTREME FLASH FLOODING

Bruton 1917 Cannington 1924 Lynmouth 1952 Martinstown 1955 Chew Valley 1968 Chulmleigh 1982Polperro 1993 Boscastle 2004 Ottery St Mary 2008 St Ives 2009 Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number © Environment Agency.

EXTREME FLASH FLOODING - Definition Short lead time and short duration – flashy Heavy intense rainfall Volume and velocity of water involved Potential to cause material damage Urgent threat to life ‘Hazard’ not a ‘risk’ – probability not taken into account

WHERE ARE THE RAPID RESPONSE CATCHMENTS

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE Communities at risk know they are at risk Communities are prepared Communities can respond

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE 1. Communities know they are risk Preference: Parish Councils (or equivalent) are aware and they have communicated it to the community via newsletters etc. Fallback: Alternatively we can write to the householders in the at risk communities (current proposal for Torbay)

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE 2.Communities are prepared There is a community owned flood plan in place which details who, what, where and when. Produced by the community for use by the community.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE 3.Communities can respond We (The Environment Agency / Torbay Council) can (if required) provide triggers to activate the flood plan Triggers depend on time it takes to carry out flood plan actions Understanding confidence of severe impact v lead time to flooding

“The warnings work according to the river levels whereas actually we ought to maybe be giving people warning when we’re expecting excessive rainfall” David Cameron, 19 th November 2010 (BBC Cornwall website) Rainfall Triggers

Pathfinder Project Flash flooding Flooding in Torbay Community Flood Plans Next steps

Sources of flooding in Torbay Coastal Rivers and streams Surface water Groundwater

Areas at risk from surface water flooding Brixham 1,675 properties Galmpton 150 Paignton 4,168 Torquay 3,908 Based on information from Torbay PFRA

Rapid Response Catchments Higher and Lower Brixham Watercourses Galmpton Occombe Valley (Preston) Clennon Valley Cockington Stream Torre Valley River Fleet

Rapid Response Project Flash flooding Flooding in Torbay Community Flood Plans Next steps

Provide information and support What to do before, during and after a flood. Specific flash flood messages for RRC communities (currently being developed) Three day flood risk forecast and rivers and sea levels online. Riparian responsibilities.

Talk to communities about their flood risk. Provide guidance and support to develop flood plans and flood groups.

Community Flood Plans It provides practical advice and information about what to do if it floods. Clarifies roles and responsibilities during a flood. Templates and guidance available Support communities to develop and test plans Training for community volunteers

Community Flood Plans It provides practical advice and information about what to do if it floods. Clarifies roles and responsibilities during a flood.

Rapid Response Project Flash flooding Flooding in Torbay Community Flood Plans Next steps

Consider if you want to develop a flood plan for your community Request community flood plan pack from the Environment Agency Environment Agency and Torbay Council (Dave Stewart) can attend meetings with individual Community Partnerships