Kent needs you – Could you become a volunteer flood warden?

Many Kent communities are at risk of flooding, and the Environment Agency and the Kent Resilience Forum are on the lookout for people in Kent who would like to make a real difference to their community, by becoming volunteer flood wardens.

Flooding can be devastating, destroying property and livelihoods, and disrupting lives. It is therefore essential that areas at risk of flooding help to prepare for such eventualities.

As a flood warden you would have a key role in helping to develop a community flood plan for the area, as well as playing a crucial part in implementing that plan in the event of flooding.

Training takes just 2 hours to complete on an evening or weekend and Flood wardens meet just a few times per year to test their flood plan.

Once trained and equipped, you could be helping to raise awareness of flood risks in the area, encouraging people to sign up to receive the Environment Agency’s flood warnings and playing a proactive part in reinforcing these warnings, and other safety messages, from other local authorities.

In the event of a flood, emergency services and local authorities are focused on helping those most in need, flood wardens become a vital link between those responding and their community.

Jenny Newham, from the Environment Agency’s Flood Resilience Team said: “Many people find becoming a flood warden can be extremely rewarding. Whether it’s providing practical support and reassurance to flood victims, or acting as a go-between to provide timely information and advice–you will be making a positive difference to people, helping the people of Kent when they need it most.”

If you would like to find out more, please email the Environment Agency on [email protected] or the Kent Resilience Forum on [email protected] with your name, email address, telephone number and the area you would be volunteering in.

What else can you do?

Check your flood risk – visit www.gov.uk/flood

Sign up

To the free Flood Warning Service by calling 0345 988 1188

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