Emergency Response

The District Council works closely with the Environment Agency (EA), the emergency services, other local authorities and local communities on the preparation of emergency plans to help us cope with flooding incidents. These emergency plans are the subject of regular exercises with our partners to keep them up to date and effective.

As well as a general Emergency Plan to cover all major incidents (eg. transport accidents, terrorism), we have a specific Flood Emergency Plan for Lewes.

This is a brief outline of how the Council responds to each of the stages of the EA's flood warning system.

Flood Watch	Contact EA Control Room to establish precise nature of flood risk Alert key personnel Ensure availability of Rest Centres (if it is later necessary to evacuate and look after local people) Ensure availability of sandbags at pre-designated locations (Recycling Centre, North Street, Lewes; Robinson Road, Newhaven and various village locations)
Flood Warning	Constant contact with EA Control Room to monitor precise nature of flood risk and evolving situation. Establish liaison with Police and other emergency services and consider whether to set up Emergency Control Centre(s) Deploy staff to risk areas to monitor river/sea levels Alert Council emergency volunteer staff, so available if needed to open Rest Centres and carry out other emergency duties. Deploy reserve sand bags Alert Flood Warden Network in Lewes Contact and establish close liaison with Town and Parish Councils
Severe Flood Warning	AS ABOVE, PLUS Open Rest Centres Assist Police with evacuation of areas expected to flood Deploy staff in to assist in spreading flood warnings, for example using vehicle - mounted loudspeakers. Activate Emergency Plan arrangements Liaison with press, radio & TV to pass on important information.

If a flood occurs, the local authorities will lead the clean up and recovery programme. Again, this would be a partnership arrangement involving other public agencies, local businesses and local communities. In autumn 2000, a Lewes Flood Recovery Group was set up to promote recovery in the following areas:-

• Temporary housing
• Aftercare (social and community-care)
• Restoring the physical environment
• Promoting business recovery
• Information
• Lewes Flood Appeal - financial and other assistance to those affected