County Council on full alert for predicted wet weather

Press release - 19 July 2007

Shropshire County Council’s divisional teams will be on full alert this weekend following a Met Office warning of heavy rain across the county.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for the county. It has been predicted that 20-40mm rain could fall quite widely but there is potential for up to 75-100mm in places during Friday night and Saturday morning.

Given that the ground is saturated following recent floods, there is potential for further disruption. Divisional teams will be on standby throughout the weekend so that any disruption caused by this heavy rainfall can be kept to a minimum.

During the wet weather the County Council is offering advice to people on how to stay safe.

Steve Chadwick, Shropshire County Council’s senior road safety officer, said: "With heavy rain forecast for Friday and Saturday we are offering the following advice to local people:

• Stay indoors as much as possible during the severe weather.
• Drive carefully, leave space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if the vehicle in front of you suddenly slows down or stops. At 30mph in dry conditions it takes 23 metres (75 feet) about six car lengths to stop. In wet weather the stopping distance will be doubled. Only make essential journeys.
• Never try to drive through flood water — 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles.
• Avoid walking through flood water, streams or rivers in full flow — just six inches of rapidly moving water can knock a person over.
• If there is disruption to power supplies people are advised to contact their local service provider.
• Carry a mobile phone with you for use in an emergency, but only use this when your car is stationary.

For further information and updates people are advised to visit the Shropshire County Council website and/or listen to their local radio station.

Ends

For media contact, call Laura Owen, Communications Officer, Economy & Environment on (01743) 253318.