If the tide's too high

Main pic: The Hull flood barrier, and (inset) as seen from the top of Holy Trinity Church on Lowgate

More than 118,000 homes in Hull are at risk from flooding, but plans are in place to minimize the danger

Built beside two rivers, Hull is a spectacular waterfront location – but this also brings the threat of flooding.
If the worst happened, and the flood defences failed, large areas of the city could be deluged.
To ensure minimum disruption to our lives the council would work arm-in-arm with police, fire and rescue, coastguard, the local NHS, and the Environment Agency.
These agencies plan and regularly exercise emergency strategies to cope with disasters that could affect Hull, whether man-made or natural.

Doing our duty

"We have a duty to plan for the worst case scenario," says Alison Bignell, Hull City Council's senior emergency planning officer.
"We're not here to scare people, but to bring reassurance and help people safeguard themselves and their property.
"It would be wrong to say the worst could never happen, as there are so many unknowns with rivers and weather patterns. We have to be ready – just in case.
"The tidal barrier is monitored round the clock during high tides by the Environment Agency.
"Advance warning is vital to give people time to put their valuables upstairs and away from the floodwater.
"But effective response is a two-way system, and Hull people have a role to play. Hopefully, they would be community spirited and help their neighbours through any emergency."

Flooding in Hull's Old Town area in the winter of 1954

Rapid response

Flooding in Oxford Street, off Wincolmlee, in November 1953

In the event of a major flood, the council will help to protect homes and important buildings with the hundreds of sandbags it keeps in storage.
Elsewhere, if residential areas had to be evacuated, the council would work with Humberside police to ensure people were brought to a place of safety.
Respite centres with trained staff would be set up at locations throughout the city for people whose homes were hit.
Meanwhile, essential council services, such as care for children and the elderly, would continue.
Hull people would receive regular information and advice updates through television, radio and the Internet. Updates would be given before, during and after a major incident.

Flood Warnings

Residents who live in high-risk areas, such as close to the banks of the Rivers Humber and Hull, can make use of the free Floodline Warnings Direct service, which warns of a flood either by phone, text, email, pager or fax.
To find out if you are eligible to use Floodline Warnings Direct, call 0845 988 1188.

www.environment-agency.gov.uk *
www.heps.gov.uk *