Following heavy rainfall between 16th – 18th September 2023, several properties and roads in both villages of Harberton and Harbertonford were affected by flooding. The Parish Council set up this virtual notice board as a place to share information with local residents.
The page includes reports detailing what happened during the floods, but first, provides information shared with the Parish Council to help people understand the risks of flooding, prepare for and manage the aftermath of a flood event. This is connected to the Parish Council’s intention to create an ‘Emergency Directory’ as described below.
Emergency Directory: Sharing local knowledge to help people prepare
The Parish Council is planning to produce an Emergency Directory for the community, to signpost individuals to various helpful sources and information so that we can all be as prepared as possible for emergency situations. After recent events in the last few years, including the flash flooding, we would like to know what 5 pieces of information would you like to have known or would like to share with your neighbours to be as prepared as possible. The more we can all share our local knowledge the more prepared we can all be.
You can share your information directly with the Parish Clerk at clerk@harbertonparishcouncil.org or follow this link to fill in the ‘5 pieces of information’ online form.
Flood Action Week Bulletin: Do you know how to prepare for flooding?
All links to external sites were correct at time of posting.
The full bulletin from Devon County Council (dated 14th October 2024) can be found by following this link.
It includes information and guidance on:
- how to sign up for free flood warnings from the Environment Agency and what different flood warnings mean.
- how to prepare for a flood – including how to create a personal flood plan to think through what you need to do in the event of a flood and have all the relevant and useful information in one easily accessible place. A personal flood plan template can be downloaded from the Environment Agency website to help you compile a list of things you should do.
- finding out what you can do to reduce the amount of water that gets into your home and the reduce the damage done if it does. A link to the Government’s website lays all this out, including how to find tested and kite marked flood products and where you can find flood protection products and services via Blue Pages.
- what to do after a flood, with advice about insurance, and support and help that can be available through the National Flood Forum if you don’t have insurance. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) website has lots of useful guidance on how to safely clean your property after a flood and advice to help you mentally cope and recover from the stress and strain of being flooded.
Prepare for flash flooding
External links provided were correct at time of posting.
Being an area susceptible to flooding caused by sudden, intense rainfall over a short period of time, Devon County Council has provided material to share with the community to raise awareness of the risks of flash flooding. This includes:
- a short animation made by the Environment Agency which shows Mollie and her family react to a flash flood on their summer holiday.
- a link to the Environment Agency’s virtual flash flooding assistant which residents can chat with to find out steps to take to be prepared.
- a PDF of a ‘Flash Flood Action Guide’ (PDF).
Reports detailing the 2023 Flood
Please follow the links to find:
- Section 19 Flood Investigation Report for the 17th September 2023 Floods, as published by Devon County Council. The purpose of this report is to document the flood event as it happened, in addition to setting out recommended actions. The report is to act as a tool for all the relevant Risk Management Authorities to understand and appreciate the extent of flooding in their area and to consider and prioritise those actions relevant to their authority.
- The Environment Agency Soil Assessment Report following Flood on 17th Sept 2023. This document has been shared with the Parish Council following the interest expressed by residents that attended the flood drop in meeting.
- Collated responses to a short survey asking residents in Harberton and Harbertonford to share information about properties and roads that were flooded. There were 19 responses to this survey.
- Responses from the Environment Agency to questions from the Parish Council. This includes queries that arose from Harbertonford residents made via the digital survey above. (Responses to questions about flooding in Harberton will come from a different member of the team).
- Pictures of flooding and impacts of flooding in Harberton and Belsford
- Notification of closure of the green lane uUCR 302, known as Watery Lane (running near Copperthorn Cross to Belsford)
- A report produced by Harberton resident on flooding in Harberton. The document aims to capture photographic information, describe the flood flow path and its effects, list the precursors, recommend mitigations for future events and act as a reference for Parish and District Council and the Environment Agency.