Emergency Numbers
Contact Numbers and Links
Environment Agency Floodline – 0345 988 1188
Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Flood News and Warnings
Snape Community Emergency Plan
In response to the severe flooding in the village in December 2013 the Parish Council with local support put in place an Emergency Plan so that the community of Snape can help each other in the event of an emergency impacting on significant numbers of residents in the village. The plan has been agreed with local authority emergency planners.
The Emergency Services and Local Authorities have statutory responsibilities to carry out their roles and functions. Anything done by local volunteers is in support of the Emergency Services and in no way supersedes them.
In circumstances where the plan has not yet been put into action assistance can as ever be requested via the Snape Good Neighbour Scheme 07541 754426. (Fridge magnets were distributed last year and can be requested via the phone or website).
The role of the Emergency Plan
The plan is run by volunteer local Emergency Co-ordinators whose contact details are shown overleaf.
On an ongoing basis they will
- Assess local problems that may arise in the event of an emergency such as a major incident or a natural disaster.
- Seek to identify vulnerable local residents who may require assistance
- Identify residents who have skills or equipment which can be used in the event of an emergency.
- Plan for action which can be taken locally such as providing shelter, first aid and support for individuals and families in the village and liaison for emergency and other services.
When an emergency happens they will
- Liaise with the Emergency Services to ensure that Snape receives effective support when needed. This will involve advising the Emergency Services of the situation in the village and what support is needed and who will need it.
- Provide immediate local support to residents where possible.
- Co-ordinate the local volunteer response.
How you can contact the Emergency Co-ordinators
The Emergency Plan operates a ‘telephone tree’. Your initial contact should be with an Emergency Co-ordinator and they will relay the situation to the relevant volunteers.
How the Plan can help you
In the event of an emergency, the response of the Emergency Services may be necessarily delayed by the size of the incident or by Snape being cut off. They may have to bring in personnel from out of the area who will not have local knowledge.
In this situation the Emergency Plan Co-ordinators will be able to provide rapid, temporary and personal assistance to those in the village that need it. They will have in place local volunteers who can set up shelter, provide warm food and drink, and source appropriate equipment.
They will also liaise with the Emergency Services to advise them of the situation in the village, what assistance is needed and who is most likely to need it.
How you can help the Plan
Snape’s Emergency Plan depends entirely on volunteers. If you have any particular skills or equipment, or can give of your time to help others in the community when an emergency happens, please contact the Emergency Co-ordinators. It is important that our local Co-ordinators know beforehand what resources they can call on when the Emergency happens. They currently have a significant numbers of volunteers, but more are always welcome.
How to prepare for emergencies
So that you are prepared for emergencies, you may find it useful to put together the following essential items:
- Copies of your home insurance documents.
- A torch with spare batteries.
- A wind-up or battery radio.
- A corded telephone *
- Warm, waterproof clothing and blankets.
- A first-aid kit and prescription medication.
- Bottled water and non-perishable foods.
- Baby food and baby care items.
- A list of important contact numbers.
* Telephones. Modern cordless telephones with a base station and carry-around handsets do not work without mains power. If your telephone or its base station are plugged into the mains, consider buying a corded phone for your emergency kit. This will be powered by the low voltage from the BT socket and will normally work during power outages.
You should also plan ahead by:
- Making a household emergency plan. A template can be found at www.gov.uk/environment.agency.
- Checking your insurance cover.
- Making a list of important contact numbers including local Co-ordinators
- Knowing how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies.
- Remember 105 for UK Power networks and link below – https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/internet/en/help-and-advice/need-help/What-is-105.html
- Look up your three words location, so that if in a remote postcode the emergency services can find you quickly – https://what3words.com/news/emergency/three-words-for-a-faster-emergency-response/
- look at the Suffolk Resilience Forum for advice on how to prepare – https://www.suffolkresilience.com/ for your personal circumstances.
If you are at risk of flooding you should also:
- Register with the Floodline warning system on 0345 988 1188
- Prepare a flood kit of essential items (see above).
- Plan how you would move important or sentimental items to safety, e.g. treasured mementos like photo albums and family videos.
- Think about what else you would move to safety during a flood, e.g. pets, furniture, electrical equipment, your car.
What to do when an emergency happens
If a severe storm is expected:
- Secure outdoor items, including dustbins, and bring as much as possible inside.
- Close windows, clear window sills and pull curtains to protect against flying glass.
- Unplug aerials, computers and telephones from the mains.
In the event of a severe storm or lengthy power cut
- Keep listening to local radio for updates (BBC Radio Suffolk 95.9 or 103.9 FM).
- Check in with vulnerable neighbours and relatives.
- If you need help and are unable to contact anyone, hang a tea towel out of an upstairs window that can be seen by passers-by.
If you have to be evacuated:
- Turn off gas, electricity, oil and water.
- Lock all doors and windows.
- Do NOT put a sign in your window to say you have left the property empty.
- You can get a hot drink and seek assistance at Snape village hall which will be opened as soon as possible.
If you receive a severe flood risk warning, consider the following:
- Gather essential items together either upstairs or in a high place.
- Fill jugs and saucepans with clean water.
- Move your family and pets upstairs, or to a high place with a means of escape.
- Move your car to higher ground.
- Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home if safe to do so. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.
- Keep listening to local radio for updates (BBC Radio Suffolk 95.9 or 103.9 FM) or call Floodline 0345 988 1188.
- Check in with vulnerable neighbours and relatives.
- If you need help and are unable to contact anyone, hang a tea towel out of an upstairs window that can be seen by passers-by.
If you have to be evacuated:
- Turn off gas, electricity, oil and water.
- Lock all doors and windows.
- DO NOT put a sign in your window to say you have left the property empty.
- You can get a hot drink and seek assistance at Snape village hall.
- If travelling in a vehicle, listen to your local radio for information on which routes are open and where rest centres are.
- Look for and obey road closure and diversion signs to avoid areas that are impassable.
- DO NOT attempt to drive or wade through flooded areas unless you are sure it is safe to do so. Two feet of water can float a car; six inches of water can knock you off your feet, manhole covers can be dislodged. If you do need to drive through flooding, drive slowly and steadily and test your brakes when you are through.
