Work ongoing to support communities across Northamptonshire at risk of flooding

This week is Flood Action Week and areas of Northamptonshire at risk of flooding could secure further flood preventative measures through an initiative from Northamptonshire County Council.
The Community Flood Resilience Pathfinder Scheme aims to help Northamptonshire communities at risk of flooding to feel better prepared and equipped.The Community Flood Resilience Pathfinder Scheme aims to help Northamptonshire communities at risk of flooding to feel better prepared and equipped.
The Community Flood Resilience Pathfinder Scheme aims to help Northamptonshire communities at risk of flooding to feel better prepared and equipped.

The Community Flood Resilience Pathfinder Scheme aims to help communities to make them better able to deal with flooding and there are still places on this scheme available to the public.

The purpose of this project is to promote resilience to communities in Northamptonshire, work with up to 30 of them to develop and improve preparedness for flood risks and to support those communities with implementation.

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The scheme also aims to enhance the role and training available to Northamptonshire surface water flood wardens.

Cllr Jason Smithers, county council cabinet member for transport, highways and environment, said: “Being a victim of flooding is a distressing experience and can have long term implications for those involved.

“The Pathfinder scheme is designed so that flood resilience measures are tailor-made for the individual communities by mixing historical experience with information from a professional survey.

“Quite often it is some very basic measures that are needed to make a significant difference, so any communities that think they could benefit should really apply.”

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The aim of Flood Action Week is to inform the public about the increased risk of flooding as a result of climate change causing sea levels to rise. It is also to raise awareness about what needs to be done should anyone be unfortunate enough to find their home flooded.

The average cost of flooding to a home is around £30,000, according to the Environment Agency - it also endangers lives.

There are some things you can do to prepare for flooding. Knowing what to do in a flood could help to keep you and your family safe as well as save you thousands of pounds in damages and disruption.

Cllr Jason Smithers added: “Flood Action Week is a fantastic initiative. We often do not think it will affect us. However, floods can hit anyone, at any time, and this project works to highlight how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected.

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“Any community can apply for the Pathfinder scheme, with it being aimed at geographical areas. These can be villages, residents’ groups, industrial estates or a group of town centre businesses.”

To apply for the Pathfinder scheme or for more information, go to the website by using this link: floodtoolkit.com.