Neighbourhood Flood Wardens keep a watch over local watercourses. Because they have knowledge and experience of their area, they have the ability to recognise flood risks and report back to the Council. They are also able to communicate information about potential flooding to others in their area as well as providing the emergency services with vital information in the event of flooding.
A Flood warden’s role is essentially to observe, note and report their findings and they should not be placing themselves in danger, taking responsibility for moving or protecting property, or clearing ditches and culverts.
Those who volunteer for this role will be invited to a briefing later in the Spring giving further details of the role of a Flood Warden and lines of communication. The Council will also be able to distribute flood warnings, alerts and information back to the flood warden network.
Principal Engineer at Cheltenham Borough Council, Geoff Beer, says: “Flood wardens provide us with valuable information for flood risk areas. During severe storm events, flooding can occur at numerous locations simultaneously and monitoring every potential flood risk area is extremely difficult. This is why the wardens are so essential to us, because they are contacting us with the most up to date information which would otherwise go unrecorded.”
If you would are interested in volunteering to be a neighbourhood Flood Warden please email: Hannah Wight on: Hannah.Wright@cheltenham.gov.uk or call: 01242 775156.
