Residents Urged to Prepare for Flooding Risks

Questions have been raised in Reading about flood preparedness after neighbours were emailed and urged to get ready for heavy rain.

At a recent council meeting, Cllr Anne Thompson asked for clearer, more detailed advice for residents - especially about sandbags and help for vulnerable people.

She warned: "More information on sandbags and emergency procedures is needed. Many residents think that the council will provide the sandbags when a flood is in prospect, so do not lay in stocks, while others do not have the storage space for traditional sandbags or the physical ability to handle them."

John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy, said the council does not supply sandbags to private residents but pointed to alternatives and limits to their protection.

He said: "Like all sandbag options, they may provide temporary and limited protection where flooding occurs, but residents need to be aware that once the groundwater levels rise to match the surface water, then properties may flood from underground upwards, including through internal floors."

Ennis added the council has a sample of water-activated "sandless sandbags" and can meet community groups to explain how to use them, and that "Air brick covers are also an easy-to-install and relatively less expensive measure which can be particularly effective for frequent low-depth flooding."

On support for vulnerable people he said: "I am not aware of any proactive work that we do to provide protection for vulnerable residents, albeit that we do have a list of vulnerable residents in Adult Services that we interact with during various emergency situations, including flooding."

He also noted: "As part of our multi-agency planning through the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum, we do have humanitarian plans in place which provide for evacuation, shelter, and sharing of information on vulnerable residents during flood incidents."

The exchange took place at the policy committee meeting on September 16.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter