Annual flood siren testing planned in Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Annual testing of the Environment Agency’s flood sirens in Grimsby and Cleethorpes will be carried out next week.
The 18 sirens help warn more than 25,000 households and local businesses of imminent tidal flooding from the Humber. The siren on the Willows Estate, Grimsby, is used to warn residents about flooding from the River Freshney.
Testing will take place on Friday, 26 August between 10am and 12pm. If you hear the sirens during this time, you do not need to take any action. If flooding was expected on the day, the test would be rescheduled and warnings would be issued through the Environment Agency’s Floodline Warnings Direct system. If a severe flood warning was issued, the sirens would also be sounded.
The sirens are secondary to the Environment Agency’s Floodline Warnings Direct Service, which provides targeted flooding information via phone call or text to mobile or landlines, or through email.
Luke Dawson, Flood Resilience Team Leader with the Environment Agency, said:
The Floodline Warnings Direct service gives people as much notice as possible of potential flooding. Our flood sirens are another way we can warn of imminent flooding, so it’s important that we test them to make sure they will work during an emergency.
However, the best way to reduce your own risk is to sign up for our free, targeted flood warnings by calling 0345 988 1188.
Environment Agency staff will be in the Freshney Place shopping centre on Friday, 26 August from 9am to 5pm to answer questions about the sirens and flood risk, including what steps people can take to prepare for an emergency.
Luke continued:
Our flood defences reduce the risk of flooding to thousands of homes and businesses in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, but no defence can ever completely remove all flood risk, so it’s important for people to know what to do before, during and after a flood to protect themselves and their property.
We’d welcome anyone in the area to come and see us at Freshney Place to learn more.
Steven Coe, Lead Flood Risk Management Officer at North East Lincolnshire Council (the lead local flood authority) said:
During the flood siren testing due to take place, North East Lincolnshire Council staff and its partner Engie will be joining the Environment Agency in Freshney Place Shopping Centre between 9am and 5pm. We will be available to answer any questions on flood risk and how you can prepare.