Agency introduces 'opt out' flood alerts

The Environment Agency is putting half a million homes on an automatic flood alert service

GC News
Kable, Monday 8 February 2010 12.44 GMT

It will automatically provide them with telephone alerts if there is a flood warning in their areas. People not wishing to receive the alerts will have to opt out.

Previously the service has operated on an opt in basis, with people having to register to receive it.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency told GC News the service will be targeted at areas with a relatively high flood risk, and that it has the landline phone numbers for all of the properties through an agreement with BT. He said these are kept in accordance with the terms of the Data Protection Act.

"It's all so we will be able to offer advanced, tailored warnings by phone," he said.
The agency is writing to people due to receive the service, informing them of the opt out option and the facility to receive the alerts by text message and/or email.

It plans to make the service available to 400,000 people by the end of this month, and to the other 100,000 over the following weeks. The spokesperson said it is looking at the possibility of extending it to more people.

The agency has also unveiled a new service to help local authorities provide localised flooding advice to the public through its existing Floodline 0845 988 1188 service. It said this will provide a one stop shop for flood advice, combining the agency's information on river and coastal developments with information from local authorities on surface water and drainage flooding.

Local authorities can join the service by paying an annual charge. They then provide the agency with answers to a range of frequently asked questions about local flood risk issues.

Craig Woolhouse, head of flood incident management at the Environment Agency said: "This new and improved Floodline service means homeowners and businesses only need to call one number to gain important initial advice on all types of flooding. The service has been developed with the help of local authority partners. Its success will depend on how many local authorities choose to join it. "

The first phase of this extended service started in December last year and involves 27 local authorities on a trial basis. The Environment Agency is looking to introduce the service across England and Wales by summer 2010.