25 Days of Flood Awareness: an alternative advent calendar part four

When many of us think of an advent calendar, we picture opening one numbered door a day, behind which is a chocolate treat. But in today’s market, Christmas doesn't have to be all about sweets. In fact, the days of a morning chocolate might very well be numbered with the launch of the ‘alternative advent calendar.’

The alternative advent calendar market has boomed in recent years, meaning you can now have a daily treat of beauty or booze, toys or marshmallows or even luxury food stuffs, to name but a few.

An advent calendar that could actually save your life

Flashing back to Boxing Day 2015, the joy of the festive season was the last thing on the minds of many Rochdale residents when their homes and businesses were devastated by some of the worst local flooding in living memory brought on by Storm Eva.

Remembering this has inspired Rochdale Online to do something a little bit different to mark the start of the Christmas countdown - we have teamed up with the Environment Agency, as it launches its Flood Action Campaign 2018, to bring you an alternative advent calendar that will ensure you, your home and your family are completely flood aware and prepared in time for Christmas.

View Days 1-7

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/124551/25-days-of-flood-awareness-an-alternative-advent-calendar-part-one

View Days 8-14

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/124553/25-days-of-flood-awareness-an-alternative-advent-calendar-part-two

View Days 15-21

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/124554/25-days-of-flood-awareness-an-alternative-advent-calendar-part-three

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Day 22 #Survive – Develop a community flood plan

Many communities already help one another in times of need, but those who have spent time planning and preparing for any eventuality are better able to cope during an emergency and, most importantly, recover more quickly afterwards. The value of planning at the community level cannot be under-estimated.

Get to know your neighbours. Think about people in your neighbourhood who may need your help, for example:

• Older people living by themselves
• People with physical or sensory disabilities
• People with a chronic illness or with a mental illness
• Parents with young children
• People newly arrived, including tourists, refugees or immigrants.

Talk to your neighbours to identify those who may need assistance - remember that many people value their privacy.

Make a list of task neighbours can help each other. Does anyone have special skills, such as: medical, technical, trade?

Plan how the neighbourhood could work together after a flood.

Develop your local community or group plan here: 

• www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-plan-guidance-for-communities-and-groups

Day 23 #Survive – How is your Flood Plan looking?

If you haven't got  round to completing it yet, now is the time to put together your personal Flood Plan.  When flooding hits, it brings panic. With your Flood Plan, you’ll be completely prepared, know what action to take and be able to minimise the impact of the flood on your family or business.

Day 24 #Survive – Know what to do after a flood hits

Being flooded is not always the worst part; it is the recovery from them that is the real challenge. The Environment Agency has specially trained Flood Support Officers across the country who provide information and advice during and after floods.

Call Floodline (24-hour service) on 0345 988 1188 or type-talk (for the hard of hearing) on 0345 602 6340 to find out if they’re active in your area.

You can find out what you should do to start the recovery process here: 

• flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/recovering-after-a-flood

Day 25 Prepare, #Act, #Survive – You should be Flood Ready!

After 25 days of preparing and acting, you should now be completely ready to face the issue of flood risk. However, while you can feel safe in the knowledge that you have done all you can, don’t relax just yet.

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The truth is, it’s everyone’s responsibility to be flood aware and if there are just three words that you take away from this, please make them: Prepare. Act. Survive. They are the keys to averting the crisis and making you extraordinary at protecting your family and your property whilst potentially saving your life.