'Lesson learnt' for mass evacuation

Upton upon Severn was effectively an island last summer

When last summer's floods turned a Worcestershire town into "an island", authorities realised the drastic effect on residents should not be repeated.

Upton-upon-Severn was just one of dozens of areas across England which found itself caught out by the deluge.

But the problems were the "wake up call" emergency planners at Worcester County Council needed.

This week they confirmed the first mass evacuation scheme - for 3,000 people - had been drafted for four areas in West Mercia.

Thousands of residents in Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Telford and Wrekin were affected by the heavy rain in 2007.

Mobilising military

Among the many lessons to be learned it was clear there was no firm plan in place for a large-scale evacuation.

As part of the plan, officials with the Highways Agency, Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, West Mercia Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service meet to discuss how to cope with severe flooding.

Nick Riding, emergency planning manager with Worcestershire County Council, said a practice run of a "worst case scenario" for West Mercia would take place in the autumn.

A on-going situation in a city or surrounding towns will be presented to officials who will debate how best to act.

Organising temporary housing and rest centres is part of the strategy as well as mobilising the military to airlift people and utilising boats and 4x4 vehicles.

As many organisations concede, it is a case of when, not if, there will be a repeat of last summer's floods.

Many people had to be airlifted to safety from their flooded homes

Earlier this week, an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee said the UK was still not prepared for the sort of flooding which hit much of the country last summer.

Current flood preparations were in a "chaotic state", it said.

Mr Riding said: "We have learnt our lessons from last year and Upton showed us that we had no good plans for mass evacuation.

"The government and local communities expect authorities and agencies to work in partnership.

"Residents would not know the finer details, they rely on us as we have a responsibility to look after people."

The plan would also be used in other emergency situations such as a terrorist attack or a major chemical leak.

"I must stress that evacuation is the very, very last resort," Mr Riding added.

"There are issues for vulnerable people and we would work with district councils to set up rest centres and for example, we could any use empty university accommodation."

Once homes have been evacuated, safeguarding the empty properties is crucial and West Mercia Police said patrols would provide a visible presence.

Residents would be urged to secure their homes and, if appropriate, remove valuable items and store them elsewhere although in an emergency situation speed is of the essence.

Mary Dhonau, chief executive of the National Flood Forum, said she believed authorities remained just as badly prepared.

Up to 10,000 vehicles were stranded on the M5 during one downpour

"Some organisations are not that experienced to deal with major flooding.

"There are lots of meetings to see what should be done but is anything actually done?" she said.

Better communication and organisation is welcomed by the assistant manager of Hampton House in Herefordshire after its 30 elderly residents were forced to leave last summer.

Yvonne Hedley said army trucks and ambulances took them to leisure centres but residents were then left waiting for crucial medication.

"It was quite a frightening experience and if it was a bit more organised and better communication in place it would have been better.

"Residents did not get allocated to new homes until 1.30am which was very late and they waited for medication, little things like that could have been better."

Despite the efforts being made to prepare for the next deluge, there remain many people who have still not been able to return to their homes nearly 12-months after one of the wettest summers on record.