When the weather is nice it’s easy not to give a second thought to preparing for storms. But thinking ahead can give you peace of mind when weather turns threatening.
To get the latest information on power cuts local to you, and who to contact for further information go to:
https://powercuts.nationalgrid.co.uk/
Western Power Distribution have a Priority Services Register, so they are aware of residents needs and can advise them accordingly.
If anyone in your community is vulnerable register at
https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/customers-and-community/priority-services
Don’t assume that the power company know you have no power. Please ring them as soon as possible. If they already know about the problem, they should be able to tell you when they expect your electricity to be restored. Please call 105.
Useful Emergency telephone numbers
Floodline | 0345 9881188 |
Natural Resources Wales Incident hotline | 0300 065 3000 |
Powys County Council (PCC) Out of Hours | 03450 544 847 |
Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service | 0370 6060699 |
Dyfed Powys Police | 101 - Non Emergency 999 - Emergency |
Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust | 01792 562900 |
Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water | 0800 0520130 |
Western Power | 0800 6783105 or 105 |
British Gas | 0800 111999 |
British Telecom | 0800 800150 |
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s very hot there are health risks. The very young, and the elderly are particularly at risk. Very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse.
The Meterological Office has a warning system that issues alerts if a heatwave is likely. The following advice applies to everybody when it comes to keeping cool and comfortable and reducing health risks:
MET Office Seasonal advice: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice
NHS advice for heat exhaustion and heatstroke: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/
NHS advice on sunscreen and sun safety: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
AGE UK – how to keep cool in a heatwave: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/staying-cool-in-a-heatwave/
MET Office advice for sunburn: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/health-wellbeing/uv/sunburn
UV & Sun health: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/health-wellbeing/uv/uv-and-sun-health
How UV can affect your eyes: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/health-wellbeing/uv/how-uv-can-affect-your-eyes
This checklist will help you to identify if a home may be at risk of overheating and how to reduce this risk.
While we all look forward to the hot weather, homes can sometimes overheat (become uncomfortably hot). Everyone’s health can be at risk during periods of hot weather but some people are particularly vulnerable to heat. A hot home can worsen existing health conditions and can be fatal.
Homes that can sometimes overheat during warmer weather include:
There are lots of reasons why some people might be at higher risk of becoming unwell in hot weather, including:
We often get some warning when a period of hot weather is coming, and it is always helpful to plan for every summer period. There are things you can do to prepare for and reduce the risk of your home overheating during hot weather:
When the hot weather arrives there are several quick and easy steps that we can all take to reduce heat in the home:
Like us, our pets are also vulnerable to heat-related problems and illnesses, the British Veterinary Association has some top tips on how to keep our pets safe in hot weather:
Safe and Well Visits
A Safe and Well Visit includes all the contents of the home fire safety checks but will also include other safety messages that may be relevant to the people living in the property. The five main additional topics will cover
With the potential for further subjects to be added over time.
More advice
If you would like some more advice call us on 0800 169 1234 to talk about the possibility of a Safe and Well Visit by Fire and Rescue Service personnel. If you have a defective alarm which was installed by the Fire and Rescue Service, please contact 0800 169 1234 for a replacement or email saw@mawwfire.gov.uk.
The provision of smoke alarms and other home safety items by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is supported by funding from Welsh Government.
Their website has lots of great information including protecting your home, cooking safely, candle safety, electrical safety, portable heaters, white goods, Carbon Monoxide safety, smoke alarms, chimneys and open fires and woodburning stoves.
https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/your-safety/in-your-home/protecting-your-home/
Farm Fire Safety: https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/your-safety/farm-fire-safety/
Welsh Govt website, full of advice: https://www.gov.wales/fire-rescue
Impact
The effects of wildfires are numerous and wide-ranging. They can have significant impacts on the economy, environment, heritage and social fabric of rural areas. Economic costs range from direct costs associated with emergency resources, to loss of income from the land following wildfire incidents and damage to property. For the firefighters, larger wildfires can be difficult to deal with due to terrain and accessibility. Sometimes, the extreme temperatures and longer travel distances carrying equipment make working conditions even harder. This can often mean that multiple crews are detained over several days meaning appliances must travel from further afield to attend other emergencies in the area affected.
Reducing arson
Arson Reduction is a problem-solving team within Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service dedicated to reducing and eliminating deliberate fire-setting. The team consists of a seconded Police Officer, a Fire Officer and three specialist arson advisors who ensure that all incidents are investigated and analysed to make our communities safer. The team works closely with its partners to target problematic areas and to consistently develop ways of reducing arson and to identify who or what may be affected.
What we do
The Arson Reduction Team and Farm Liaison Officer work with land management teams / Commoners / Graziers to introduce a Wildfire Policy – controlled burning (between 1st October and 31st March) and introduce fire breaks. We coordinate with partners to carry out patrols and surveillance in hot spot areas using technology such as UAV’s and CCTV for the prevention and detection of crime.
We have seen that arson not only destroys homes and lives, but it can devastate the environment. Reducing arson helps to protect the places we live, work, learn and spend our leisure time. We want to protect our communities from anti-social behaviour linked to fire setting, such as fly-tipping, dangerous or illegal waste burning and vandalism within schools and colleges In the last few years we have also seen an increase in the threat of arson arising from domestic abuse and violence in the home and through our collective aims, we will strive to both identify these events through wider awareness of each of the Joint Arson Group Partners to bring such perpetrators to justice while at the same time ensuring an effective response is in place to support victims of such a crime. We want to deliver a cultural shift across Wales so that communities view arson as socially unacceptable and are active in terms of community resilience.
Safety Advice to reduce the risk of Accidental Fires
To ensure that we can respond to your emergencies quickly we need you to protect your community from deliberate fires and report anti-social gatherings. Starting a deliberate fire is a criminal offence and you could end up with a criminal record as a result of starting a deliberate fire.
You can help by calling the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you see anyone setting deliberate fires.
Arson is a Crime.
If you have any information, please contact the Arson Reduction Team on 01792 705 130
If you witness someone deliberately starting a grass fire, call the Police on 999 or find evidence of deliberate grass fire setting call the Arson Reduction team on 0370 6060 699 or email arson.reduction@mawwfire.gov.uk
Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard that lasts for several days. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, ice, sleet and rain. One of the biggest concerns is the winter weather’s ability to knock out heat, power and communications services, sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize a wide area.
In a winter weather scenario everyone should:
Check on older neighbours or relatives to make sure they’re safe and well. Make sure they’re warm enough, especially at night, and have stocks of food and medicines so they don’t need to go out during very cold weather.
Buildings
Burst pipes
Snow and Ice
The council should take reasonable care to ensure the safety of the public, employees and volunteers.
If a clearance plan is implemented, it should be maintained for the whole period of adverse weather and the plans on how the process will be managed should be communicated.
Where a council takes on responsibility for clearing snow or ice from paths, it should exercise reasonable care in doing so. Care should be taken in deciding where to move the snow - making sure entrances, side roads or drains are not blocked.
After the snow and ice has been cleared, do not use water as this may cause black ice. Use salt or grit to treat the areas.
Also if the building is to be used over winter, the council needs to ensure that people can enter and leave the building safely, which means that if not gritting paths or car parks, then the building should be closed.
The Snow Code
There is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice from paths pavements or public spaces outside your home, shop or office.
Don’t be put off clearing snow & ice because you’re afraid someone will get injured. Regardless of what you do, pedestrians & drivers have a responsibility to be careful themselves.
Doing your part may help the local community and will be very helpful to the more vulnerable members of society.
Five tips for staying safe in snow: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/stay-safe-in-snow
Winter driving advice: https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/seasonal/winter
Slips & trips in icy conditions and winter weather: https://www.hse.gov.uk/logistics/slips-trips-bad-weather.htm
Llangattock Salt bins & Gritting
By canal bridge on Hillside Road
Lime Trees Avenue
On the hill up to the Ffawyddwg, after the canal bridge
Winter gritting
PCC routes available here: https://en.powys.gov.uk/gritting
Report a problem: https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/9901/Report-a-Problem-with-Salt-bins-Gritting-or-Footways
Snow shovels – Llangattock Community Council has a few snow shovels available for residents to borrow if required, please contact one of your local Councillors, details on this website or on the notice boards.
USEFUL WEBSITES:
Natural Resources Wales (NRW):
Natural Resources Wales is the principal adviser to Welsh Government about issues relating to the environment and its natural resources; managing water and flood defences in Wales and responding as a Category 1 emergency responder to reported environmental incidents.
https://naturalresources.wales/flooding/?lang=en
https://naturalresources.wales/flooding/check-flood-warnings/?lang=en
Long term flood risk map:
https://naturalresources.wales/floodriskmap?lang=en
Sign up to receive flood warnings:
https://naturalresources.wales/flooding/sign-up-to-receive-flood-warnings/?lang=en
Preparing for a flood:
https://naturalresources.wales/flooding/preparing-for-a-flood/?lang=en
Checking river levels:
https://rivers-and-seas.naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
MET Office
The MET Office provides a national meteorological service for the UK, providing critical weather services and world-leading climate science, helping you make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. The MET Office provides an email alert system for severe weather warnings, and all residents and business owners, regardless of whether their property is in the flood risk area should be encouraged to sign up: https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKMETOFFICE/subscriber/new
MET Office forecasts:
PCC CIVIL CONTINGENCIES
Advice on creating a flood plan:
Emergency.planning@powys.gov.uk
https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/3942/Flooding-alerts-and-advice
NRW – report fallen trees or debris:
0300 065 3000 (24hrs)
https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/contact-us/report-an-incident/?lang=en
Report a flood or blocked drains in Powys:
https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/9784/Report-a-Flood
Crickhowell & Surrounding villages Flood Warden Scheme:
FURTHER GUIDANCE
National Flood Forum:
nationalfloodforum.org.uk/
UK Government flood recovery: flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/recovering-after-a-flood
Blue Pages: bluepages.org.uk/
How to clean your property safely:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/348920/Flooding how to clean up your house safely.pdf
Flood Assist
https://floodassist.co.uk/flood-warnings/flood-area-info/powys
RECOMMENDED READING
Natural Resources Wales:
naturalresources.wales/flooding/what-to-do-before-during-and-after-a-flood/?lang=en
Know your flood risk guide for homeowners:
knowyourfloodrisk.co.uk/sites/default/files/FloodGuideForHomeowners.pdf
National Flood Forums “Who’s responsible for what”:
nationalfloodforum.org.uk/about-flooding/flood-facts/whos-responsible-for-what/
Llangattock volunteers and Councillors are working to make our community safer in the event of flooding. Recent severe flood events, including Storm Dennis in February 2020, have demonstrated the need to be prepared for flooding and to be able to respond if the worst happens.
The Community Council have set up a working group to investigate the challenges faced by Llangattock residents during flooding, to identify the most vulnerable properties and provide information to owners so they can protect their homes. Vulnerable people have already been given Powys County Council ‘flood packs’ with information about how to prepare and who to contact in an emergency.
Three members of Llangattock Community Council (LCC) have joined the Crickhowell and Villages Flood Warden Scheme, which was set up after Storm Dennis. They have been joined by volunteers who will help to warn residents, provide information and move furniture out of harm’s way if necessary. At other times, Flood Wardens will keep an eye out for potential hazards and contact the relevant authorities if drains or culverts become blocked by fallen trees or debris.
If anyone would like any more information about LCC’s Flood Working Group please email llangattockcc@gmail.com.
If you are in danger or have another emergency: ring 999
When there is a high risk of flooding or a flooding incident is occurring you will be able to contact the flood wardens on numbers provided, or they will be in touch with you.
Or contact the flood warden scheme via the CRiC volunteer bureau which is 01873 812177 Also the crickresponse@gmail.com email address at any time.
We will also post updates about flooding and the risk of flooding on the Crickhowell and Villages Flood Response Facebook page.
You can also ask your flood warden if you would like to be sent regular updates on the up to date flood risk via Whats App, email or text.
Flood wardens are volunteers available to support you to:
The aim of the flood warden scheme is to ensure all your household are safe and that any flood damage to your property is minimised.
What you need to do:
Flood wardens CAN:
Flood wardens CAN’T:
Floodline: 0345 9881188
Natural Resources Wales Incident Hotline: 0300 065 3000
Llangattock Community Council have been exploring the possibility of a Slow the Flow scheme on the Onneu Fach initially, but also could be considered for other local streams that feed into the Usk River. We have been working alongside Powys County Council and are awaiting news on funding for this work.
Natural flood management aims to reduce the downstream maximum water height of a flood (the flood peak) or to delay the arrival of the flood peak downstream, increasing the time available to prepare for floods. The myriad Slow the Flow items work together, helping to reduce flow rate in the valley, under storm events. This is achieved by restricting the progress of water through a catchment in 3 ways:
Leaky dams form naturally when large sections of trees fall into and across the channel. These large pieces of wood start to gather smaller sticks and leaves which allows some water through, but holds back some of the water in the stream during high flows.
We can mimic nature by building leaky dams using locally sourced wood. The leaky dams can be pinned in place or dug into the bank to ensure they don't move around in high flows. Building a series of dams along a section of stream increases the effectiveness of the dams.
Woody debris helps to create pools and riffles, providing a variety of habitats for fish and aquatic insects and attracts mammals and birds. Importantly leaky dams can slow the movement of silt and sediment downstream. Silt can increase flood risk by reducing the amount of space for water in a channel.
A new type of river management: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21YAP8RF_sw&t=210s
USEFUL WEBSITES
Calderdale Slow the Flow Charity: https://slowtheflow.net/about-us-2/
Slow the Flow in the Calder Valley video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUsS-gQFTJc&t=64s
Pickering Slow the Flow scheme:
https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/slowing-the-flow-at-pickering/
Susdrain: The community for sustainable drainage, more info and ideas: https://www.susdrain.org/delivering-suds/using-suds/suds-principles/suds-principals.html
Yorkshire Water: tips on water saving: https://www.yorkshirewater.com/your-water/save-water/
https://www.ydrt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/DVRN_lowland_NFM.pdf
https://www.ydrt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/YDNP-NFM-handbook.pdf
An impressive resource of information by a pioneering Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), including the ‘Flood Library’ of guidance documents.
https://www.floodtoolkit.com/pdf-library/
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