Thursday 2 January 2014

Storm sparks flood warning for coastal communities

Coastal villages in the north-west and south-west of England and Wales should brace themselves after the Environment Agency issued severe flood warnings today.

The body said it expects a combination of strong winds with high tides and large waves from the early hours of tomorrow.

Areas particularly at risk include the Isles of Scilly, the north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall, Dorset and the coastline of Wales.

Government ministers met today to make sure local councils, utilities and transport companies are ready ahead of this week’s predicted storms.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “I urge everyone in affected areas to sign up to the Environment Agency flood warnings and follow the advice they issue to protect themselves and their properties.”

Electricity network firm UK Power Networks took the flak over Christmas when stormy weather left thousands of people without power.

Today a spokesperson told ELN it is “business as usual”, adding: “We’ve always got plans in place.”

Western Power Distribution, the networks firm responsible for the region where this week’s storm is expected to strike, said normal measures are in place, with staff on standby.