Learning The Lessons. Engaging Flood Risk Communities To Reduce Flood Risk
Case Study: Supporting Partnership Working and Community Action through a Local Flood Plan
Introduction
Edzell is a small town in Angus with a population of approximately 850 people. Edzell Flood Group (EFG) formed in 2013 after 45 properties were flooded with approximately £1million in damages. The Scottish Flood Forum provided support, advice and assistance during the recovery process and the setting up of EFG. The main source of flooding is from the Wishop Burn although EFG remain alert to flooding from surface water and the North Esk River. The area is not identified as Potentially Vulnerable Area (PVA) but this is not a barrier to developing community led actions to reduce flood risks.
What happened?
The flooding in 2012 was a real wakeup call for the Edzell community as was the long road from recovery to community resilience. Chairperson Fiona Work says: “The damage to my own property was unimaginable with the house unfit for human habitation for months. It was at this point the community really came together and decided that we must rise to the challenge and come together as Edzell Flood Group”.
Who are Edzell Flood Group?
EFG was set up after significant flooding in December 2012 to take actions to prevent and reduce flood risk. The group is informal with no constitution or governing document but has a chairperson and meets regularly to plan actions and work in partnership with responsible authorities. The group promotes awareness of flood risk and self-help actions using a variety of communication methods including social media to inform the residents of Edzell.
IMAGE: The Edzell Community Flood Plan poster warns, “IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER CALL 999” and shows flooding in the town. Beside it, Figure 1, “The Lethnot Road Automatic Gauge”, explains a three-step response plan based on predetermined water levels: “ACTION LEVEL FULL RESPONSE ABOVE 0.68m”; “ASSESS LEVEL PREPARE TO RESPOND ABOVE 0.53m”; and “ANTICIPATE LEVEL MONITOR AND/OR REPORT UPTO 0.53m”. The accompanying text says: “The predetermined levels have been set by the council which this plan uses in a three step model to guide the response. These levels can be adjusted over time to ensure the most appropriate response based on experience. The steps represent three response levels, each building on the one before, allowing the two zones to respond at the same time or independently, depending on the situation.” The figure is marked “Page 7 of 17” and dated “12th December 2015”.
Figure 1: Flood Plan Triggers
Actions taken to develop the community flood plan?
- Set up and develop a community flood resilience group
- Identify people who may be vulnerable during a flood
- Identify the local flood risks
- Identify and map the key skills and assets in the flood risk community
- Identify a safe location that can be used as a rest or recovery centre during a flood
- Create a communications plan to activate during a flood incident
- Identify what triggers will activate the community flood plan
- Identify clear roles and responsibilities for all partners
- Share and communicate the plan to wider community
- Carry out table top exercises to test and review flood plan
- Share the plan for comments with a local authority Emergency Planning Officer.
Good Practice Point:
The development of a community flood plan can be a good way to increase knowledge and understanding of local flood risks.
Good Practice Point:
Community flood plans work best when developed in partnership between communities and key responsible authorities as there are shared areas of responsibility and communication that require good relationships and trust.
What ongoing support is the group receiving?
EFG continues to access needs led support from the Scottish Flood Forum and Angus Council on training, funding and actions to review and evaluate their community flood plan and develop EFG as a local community led organisation.
IMAGE: Members of Edzell Flood Group and officials from Angus Council stand behind Edzell’s mobile flood barriers, demonstrating the equipment used to help protect the community from flooding.
Figure 2: Edzell Mobile Flood Barriers
In their own words how they describe the Edzell Flood Group community flood plan?
“The place to find the things you need to know and do in advance of and during a flood”.
“It was developed in collaboration between the local authority and the community so both parties have a sense of ownership”.
“The Edzell Flood group action plan is a tried and tested tool to co-ordinate the actions and responses of various partners in the group in the event of increased risk of flooding in Edzell village and surrounding areas”.
What are the key issues to consider in developing a community flood plan?
“Keeping it simple, easy to use, short, concise and with the right information developed by the community for the community”.
Good Practice Point:
Community flood plans should clearly identify the actions that can be carried out safely by members of the flood risk community.
“What is the flood risk to the community who are at risk? Is there a single cohesive group to develop and eventually enact the plan? Ensure the plan fits with the wider flood response in the local authority area”.
What impact or difference does the Edzell community flood plan make?
“Comfort to local residents, and the council flooding staff that we have a plan that will make a positive difference”.
“Edzell Flood means we have a trusted and knowledgeable single point of contact in the community to report flood risks”.
Good Practice Point:
Carrying out desk top tests of community flood plans with communities can help to foster a sense of team work, partnership working and build relationships with flood risk communities.
What aspects of the Edzell community flood plan could be improved or done better?
“Further consideration of recovery actions and the process after a flooding incident might enhance the plan”.
What are the key learning points from the Edzell community flood plan?
“For me, the table top exercise to test the Edzell Flood action plan ensured a robust process for all concerned was in place and the local community shared their knowledge about local flood risks”.
“Start with positive, realistic and practical goals; maintain and review these regularly to keep currency of plan, and plan for the future”.
“Listen to the community and allow them to take the lead”.
Good Practice Point:
It’s important to consider the different kinds of triggers that could activate a local flood plan such as local knowledge or SEPA flood warnings and alerts.
Good Practice Point:
When the community flood plan is complete ensure it’s registered with all relevant responsible flood authorities and check with the local authority to see if it can be covered under current Community Council 3rd party public liability insurance scheme.
Key Outcomes: What Actually Changed?
The flood plan was put to the test during Storm Frank in December 2015 and January 2016 when flooding was avoided in Edzell. This was down to the coordinated actions of the flood plan and the volunteers who carried them out. Chairperson Fiona Work says: “The recent storms tested our group and I can say because of our commitment and genuine partnership working with Angus Council and all our partners we are more resilient to flooding”.
- Edzell Community Flood Plan produced
- Better planning for future flood risks
- Increased knowledge, skills and awareness in how to respond and become more resilient to future flood risk
- Increased community resilience
- Improved partnership working
- Flood Wardens incorporated as part of community flood plan
Next Steps
EFG will continue to review and update their plan with Angus Council and develop partnerships with all responsible authorities as required to reduce flood risks. EFG are in the process of developing a deployment plan for mobile flood barriers they purchased with grant funding.
The group are working with Angus Council to consider road closure triggers during a flood incident to enhance community resilience. EFG are supporting the development of a national peer to peer networking group with the Scottish Flood Forum where flood risk communities can share experience, knowledge, skills and solutions.
Contact
Fiona Work
Chairperson
Edzell Flood Group
Email: fglwork@aol.com
Steve Blythe
Resilience Officer
Angus Council
Email: blythes@angus.gsx.gov.uk
A summary version of this case study can be accessed on Ready Scotland.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the valuable volunteers of the Edzell Flood Group and staff from Angus Council for giving their time to make this case study possible.
Date: April 2017
IMAGE: The page displays the Angus Council logo and the words “EDZELL FLOOD GROUP”, identifying the organisations associated with the case study.