A new flood warning service has been launched for an area of Carlisle.
The Environment Agency has launched the service for 255 properties in the Parham Beck area. It will see a warning message issued when flooding is forecast and then again to warn users if the floods will have an impact.
Residents can register for the new service for free and choose to receive notifications via phone call or text.
Flood warnings tell people about an imminent risk of flooding to their home or business and helps people make informed decisions about how to respond.
There are three types of warning – flood alert, flood warning and severe flood warning.
Householders are encouraged to prepare if they receive a flood alert which could mean packing a bag that includes medicines, insurance documents and anything else they wouldn’t want to lose if flooding were to take place.
A flood warning calls on people to act now which means turning off gas, water and electricity and moving family and pets to safety. A severe flood warning means you are in immediate danger and to follow advice from emergency services.
Stewart Mounsey, area flood and coastal risk manager for Cumbria, said: “We know the devastating impact that flooding can have, which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.
“These warnings are there to help people prepare for, and become more resilient to, flooding incidents and this new service will allow people to take appropriate action when flooding is forecast. We would encourage all of those in the affected area of Parham Beck and across Cumbria, to sign up for our free warnings for both their safety and peace of mind.”
Additional funding from the Government has enabled the Environment Agency to invest in the latest technology and infrastructure needed to provide a flood warning service in Cumbria and over 200 other communities across England.
This latest expansion follows on from a new service in 2021 to Brampton Beck at Brampton and Cairn and Trout Beck at Warwick Bridge as well as Ambleside and the River Crake Valley.
Home and business owners will be auto enrolled to the Flood Warning service via their mobile network. The Environment Agency is encouraging people to register directly with them by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or visiting https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings where they can register preferred contact details.
