Flood siren sounded in Walsden as heavy rain hits Calderdale

If people hear the siren in the area they should take immediate action to protect themselves and their property. The flood siren at Walsden Water covers 245 properties.

It is important to be aware that the flood warning sirens in Walsden, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd are also due to be sounded this Thursday, November 12, as part of the Environment Agency’s annual maintenance tests.

If any of these sirens are sounded today, then it is not a test, and people should take action because flooding is expected.

The sirens sound very much like old air raid warnings. There are now eight sirens in the area with an audibility level similar to that used by emergency vehicles.

Jacqui Tootill, environment manager at the Environment Agency said: “Flood water is dangerous, particularly in these areas where water cascading down from the steep surrounding hills means flooding can happen very quickly and with little warning. We would ask people not to put themselves at danger by driving or walking through fast moving flood water.

“We do everything we can to get timely warnings out to people. Unfortunately we are not currently able to warn people of flooding from water pouring down hillsides and roads, from groundwater, or from drainage and sewer systems. We would urge people to remain vigilant to local weather conditions and make use of our three day flood forecast on our website as well as the Met Office Severe Weather Warnings.”

Following heavy rain over the weekend, river levels are rising, triggering two flood warnings and 11 flood alerts in Yorkshire so far.

More rain is forecast throughout the day in Calderdale, and further bands of rain are expected in the next few days so residents are urged to remain vigilant.

Environment Agency staff are monitoring the situation closely and will issue further warnings as needed.

To find out which flood alerts and warnings have been issued, visit our website www.gov.uk/flood which is updated every 15 minutes.

To find out if you are at risk and get early flood warnings, go to www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.