Wiltshire Council is advising residents to be prepared for high winds, heavy rain and potential flooding as Storm Ciarán approaches the county this week.
As of today (Tuesday 31 October), there are Yellow warnings of both wind and rain affecting Wiltshire on both Wednesday and Thursday of this week, though this may change as the storm approaches.
There are some river Flood Alerts currently in place in the west and north of the county, so people in these areas should sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings for up-to-date information, and know what to do in case of flooding. A Flood Alert is the first level of Environment Agency flood warnings and means that flooding is possible and people should be prepared.
In areas at risk of groundwater flooding, mostly in the south of the county, groundwater levels look to be normal - however, this can change following heavy rain, so people should still be alert to potential flooding.
Council highways teams will be on standby to deal with incidents such as flooding and fallen trees and will work through these on a priority basis as they occur. People should report any incidents of flooding or fallen trees via the council's MyWilts reporting system.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport and Flooding, said: There has been significant rainfall in parts of the county over the past few weeks, and the further heavy rain and wind that Storm Ciarán is forecast to bring this week could cause more flooding and disruption.
There are currently some weather warnings and flood alerts in place, though of course these can change, so we'd advise people to ensure they are prepared and that they keep up-to-date with Met Office weather warnings and Environment Agency flood warnings in case the forecast worsens.
Our teams of Highways engineers and tree surgeons are on standby to deal with any issues, and people can report any problems to us through our MyWilts reporting system.
The council works closely with the Environment Agency and water companies to help reduce the potential impacts of flooding. It also works with town and parish councils through its network of flood wardens to ensure communities are as resilient as possible and to help them prepare effectively.
To help stay safe, people should:
- Secure loose items in their gardens, such as trampolines and furniture covers.
- Take extra care when travelling. Drive to the conditions and watch out for debris on the roads.
- Report trees down or other obstructions on the highway at MyWilts.
- Check the Met Office weather forecast.
- Sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings.
- To find a parish's flood plan, people should search their parish council's website.
For flooding related advice, residents are encouraged to contact Floodline:
- Telephone - 0345 988 1188
- Textphone - 0345 602 6340
