IN the last two years, 25 people in England and Wales have lost their lives as a result of flooding and thousands more have suffered traumatic and devastating damage.
Risk of flooding is faced by some five million people, including about 165,000 in the North West of England. You can't always stop flooding, but advance preparations can go a long way to reducing the impact.
Few people make such preparations, but steps such as keeping a list of useful telephone numbers, being prepared with sandbags or flood boards, storing sentimental and valuable items out of reach of flood water really do make a difference.
Monday, September 11 is the start of the Environment Agency's Flood Action Week, which is about recognising the risks and encouraging people to be better prepared. To find out more, call our Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
LIZ ANSPOKS, Regional Flood Warning Manager, Environment Agency, Knutsford Road, Warrington.
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