South Hams District Council Press Release 09/10/2020
Each year South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council launches a ‘Are you ready for winter?’ campaign – the Council’s secret weapon against this winter’s surprises. #Staysafe #Beprepared
When an emergency happens, or the weather takes a wintery twist, we are all there with our mobile phones ready to video, photo and tweet about what it happening.
So why not be prepared this winter and sign up for social media alerts from vital public services in advance.
To make it even easier for you to be connect with these agencies, South Hams and West Devon have taken the best advice from their partners and are launching their ‘Are you ready for Winter Campaign 2020’ to tell you where you can find important information quickly and easily:
• Looking for information about floods and how to be #floodaware? Follow the Environment Agency – @EnvAgencySW
• Is there a storm approaching? Follow @metofficestorms or @metofficeSWEng.
• Worried about the road network in bad weather, check in with @Devonalerts and @highwaysengland
• Worried about Flu or winter bugs? Go to @NHSchoices
Find out more at:
• www.engagement.southhams.gov.
• www.engagement.westdevon.gov.
Every year South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils, and their partners, work hard to keep you safe. So follow these feeds and you will find lots of tips and advice to help you be prepared this winter.
South Hams District Councillor, Cllr Nicky Hopwood, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Communications, said: “This year more than ever it is so important for everyone to think ahead. We launch this campaign every year, but this year we have the added complication of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Cllr Lois Samuel West Devon Borough Council’s Lead Member for Communications, said: “I would urge all of you, please don’t wait for a big weather event, or a flood, to link in with these vital public services; be prepared and follow us and our agency partners now. That way you will get the most up-to-date information about things like weather warning, NHS campaigns and what is happening on the roads in your area.
We also have many tips and advice on our website about flooding, Halloween and Bonfire Night, and how to stay COVID secure.
Winter Prepared South Hams
Winter Prepared West Devon
Flooding Plan Ahead
Reduce Fuel Bills Page South Hams
Reduce Fuel Bills Page West Devon
The Councils would also like to encourage residents to get in touch with their Parish and Town Councils if they need information about sand bags locally.
Parish and Town Councils play an important role in times of crisis because most have a bad weather plan; nominated snow wardens and people who are trained to work in road clearing gullies.
Parish Councils South Hams
Parish Councils West Devon
Please don’t wait for the bad weather to strike. The District and Borough Councils are urging all residents to take a moment to follow their social media, along with their partners Devon County Council, the Met Office and the Environment Agency on Twitter or Facebook. Get in touch with your Town or Parish Council and find out who is in charge of your local emergency plans. Remember, you can also to sign up for weather alerts.
Prevention is better than cure and emergency situations will have less impact on everyone if we all get ready for winter.