Householders in and around Oswestry are being urged to check in on their older friends, family and neighbours as flooding continues to affect large parts of the area.
With nearly 50 flood alerts in place within Shropshire, four of them at the highest ‘severe – danger to life’ level, older people are particularly vulnerable.
More heavy rain and high winds are expected this week, and significant river and surface water flooding is expected.
Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, said: “Older people can be left at significant risk during floods, storms or power cuts and it’s vital that they aren’t forgotten.”
To find out if you or a friend, family member or neighbour is at risk, enter your postcode at the government Flood Information Service website. Current flood warnings can be viewed here.
Flood alert – Prepare
- prepare a bag that includes medicines and insurance documents
- check flood warnings
Flood warning – Act
- turn off gas, water and electricity
- move things upstairs or to safety
- move family, pets and car to safety
Severe flood warning – Survive
- call 999 if in immediate danger
- follow advice from emergency services
- keep yourself and your family safe
You can also call Shropshire Council on 0345 678 9006 if you think your issue is an emergency and Telford & Wrekin Council can be reached on 01952 380000.
An Age UK report ‘Older people and power loss, floods and storms: reducing risk, building resilience’ highlights what support could help older people with dementia, mobility issues, those experiencing ill health or who rely on home equipment like oxygen machines and stair lifts.
Top Tips include:
- be aware of older neighbours or relatives who might need help – especially those who live alone
- keep medication in a waterproof container where it can easily be found, and planning for a pets safety.
- keep older people who live alone and who don’t text or use the internet updated with the latest flood information
- ensure energy and water companies provide extra help in an emergency, for example, registering them on a priority service register.
- Save a copy of this simple flood plan (PDF, 139KB) so you’ll know what to do when there’s a flood warning in your area.
More advice can be accessed by calling the 24-hour information line on 0345 988 1188 (0345 602 6340 for a Type Talk service for those with hearing loss). You can also sign-up for personalised flood warnings to be alerted by phone, email or text when flooding is expected. Flood warnings and alerts are not available in all areas.
Call 105, a free number, to get information and help during a power cut.
A scene near Oswestry taken by Rachel Alice
