For updates and latest news, see the Tonbridge Flood Twitter page
Community Emergency Plan - The Parish Council is delighted to launch the latest Community Emergency Plan. Updated 09/10/20
Owner responsibility for river and ditches Added 08/12/14
In the event of a power cut, vulnerable people can register with UK Power Networks for extra support during a power cut. Details on their website
WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY IN AN EMERGENCY?
Do you have a 4 Wheel Drive? Would you be willing to deliver sandbags? Do you have a generator? Do you have skills, which could be called upon in an emergency? If you can help in any way please let us know.
FLOOD WARNING PLAN
We operate a flood warning system which is used to warn residents if river flooding is expected and to obtain sandbags or assistance from the Borough Council. The scheme is not designed to cope with the flash flooding of ditches and gullies. Residents in areas at risk can sign up to the Environment Agency’s floodline service by calling 0845 988 1188 and receive flood warnings.
SANDBAG CONTAINERS
These are located in the Jubilee Hall and Pound Road car parks. Sandbags will be issued in an emergency which is usually when a flood warning reaches level 2 of if a property is facing an immediate threat. Sandbags will not be issued for householders to stockpile and residents are advised that in the first instance they should be taking precautions to protect their own property.
The sandbag containers will be opened should there be a risk of flooding. If sandbags are required urgently, please contact the Clerk, the Parish Councils Chairman or another Parish Councillor.
HOW TO COPE WITH MAJOR EMERGENCIES?
THINK FIRST AND LET COMMON SENSE TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD DO.
Remember that in a power cut mobile phones may not work, but phones that do not have to be plugged into an electric socket will probably still work.
FOR WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF WATER, ELECTRICITY, GAS OR PHONE SERVICES, SEVERE WEATHER, FLOODING, PUBLIC HEALTH, DROUGHT OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE
GO IN to the nearest safe building (if you are not already at home)
STAY IN the emergency services will expect to collect you from there if any evacuation is needed
TUNE IN to TV or radio stations for news (use a battery radio or a car radio). Tune your battery radio to one of the local radio stations and listen to the information they will be giving out.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Make yourself and the members of your household as safe as you can and then look out for others (vulnerable people) nearby who could do with your help.
MEMBERS OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD MAY BE AT SCHOOL OR AT WORK. They will be looked after there. Avoid jamming up the phone networks by making desperate attempts to contact them, and don’t cause chaos on the roads by driving off to try to find them! You will hear on the radio when it is safe for you to collect children from school.
WHAT IF IT’S NOT SAFE FOR YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD TO STAY PUT, OR IF YOU HEAR ON THE TV OR RADIO THAT YOU’RE PART OF THE AREA IS TO BE EVACUATED?
- IF THERE’S TIME turn/switch off heating, gas, electricity, water and all the gadgets you normally have on in the house
- Carry with you your usual wallet or handbag, mobile phone and your credit cards
- Try to take some emergency food and water
- Take the medicines that any member of your household must have regularly
- Check everyone is with you and lock up your house
- Find a safe building
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is responsible for organizing emergency relief and have plans ready to deal with emergencies. If there’s a national emergency, the Government will step in and will keep you informed by radio or TV.
IN THE MEANTIME…BE PREPARED!
- Find out how to turn/switch off gas, electricity, water and all the other services in your house.
- Ask for information about the emergency procedures in place at your school or workplace.
- Think how you could help vulnerable neighbours.
- Make up an emergency kit containing: bottles of water for each member of your household, tins of food, tin opener, first aid kit, warm clothing for each person, blanket and spare clothes for each person, toiletries & sanitary supplies, emergency contact details, a favourite soft toy, a book of puzzles or a pack of cards – something to relieve boredom.
If you have to be evacuated from your house, avoid the temptation to take expensive gadgets. For most emergencies will not keep you away from home for long. When you return home, open windows for fresh air before turning on your gas, electricity and water supplies.
FINALLY… DON’T WORRY UNDULY ABOUT EMERGENCIES. MOST OF US HAVE SURVIVED LOTS ALREADY!
The website http://www.preparingforemergencies.co.uk/index.htm has more information.
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Environment Agency’s Flood line
Please note that the telephone number for Flood line has changed to 0345 9881188. Please do register to receive flood warnings if you have not already done so.
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Tonbridge Area Flood Support ‘TAFS’
TAFS started with a facebook page called ‘Help and support for Tonbridge and Surrounding Areas affected by the floods’.
The idea for the page was to show the flooded residents that the community cared about what was happening and many people wanted to show their support. We now have over 1700 Facebook members, lots of followers on Twitter@TonbridgeFlood and have offered support to many residents in the Tonbridge and Malling area in various different ways-including the delivery of The Flood Recovery Guide.
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Snow and Ice Clearance
Clearing snow and ice yourself - new guidance published: Friday, October 2022
Last winter many people helped keep pavements and public spaces around their homes clear of snow. However, many people were put off doing so because of fears of being sued. Read on for advice on your rights and responsibilities when clearing snow and ice from public areas.
The law on clearing snow and ice from public spaces. There is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public spaces.
If an accident did happen, it's highly unlikely that you would be sued as long as you:
- are careful
- use common sense to make sure that you don't make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before
- People using areas affected by snow and ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves.
- Tips and advice on clearing snow and ice
- start early - it's much easier to clear fresh, loose snow compared to compacted ice that has been compressed by people walking on it
- don’t use hot water - this will melt the snow, but may replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury
- be a good neighbour - some people may be unable to clear snow and ice on paths from their property
- if shovelling snow, think where you are going to put it so that it doesn’t block people’s paths or drainage channels
- make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on
- spreading some salt on the area you have cleared will help stop ice forming - table salt or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid spreading on plants or grass as they may be damaged by it
- pay particular care and attention to steps and steep gradients
- use the sun to your advantage - removing the top layer of snow will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath; however you will need to cover any ice with salt to stop it refreezing overnight
- if there's no salt available, sand or ash are good alternatives