Review of Morpeth flooding crisis
Oct 21 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
PEOPLE whose homes and businesses were devastated by the recent flooding in Northumberland are being asked to recount their experiences as part of a major independent review of the catastrophe.
JBA Consulting – one of the UK’s leading specialists in flood risk assessment – has been commissioned to conduct the detailed examination of the September 6 event when more than 900 homes and businesses in Morpeth were flooded by the swollen River Wansbeck.
The main aim of the review is to learn lessons from the event and recommend any changes which would allow residents and businesses to be better protected in the future.
In addition, council chiefs hope it will help persuade the Government to foot the whole of the massive bill for dealing with the flooding and its aftermath – and encourage the Environment Agency to speed up a £13m scheme to upgrade Morpeth’s ageing flood defences.
JBA, which is based in Skipton, Yorkshire, will examine the quality and range of emergency plans that were in place in Morpeth, the response of various agencies over the weekend of September 6 and 7 and the effectiveness of the community recovery and restoration work.
This Saturday the review team will hold three separate feedback sessions in the town to get the views of flood victims. Dozens of residents and business people whose premises were flooded have been sent invitations to attend the focus groups and talk to JBA staff.
The company has been commissioned by Castle Morpeth Borough Council to carry out the independent review of the management of the flood.
It will have full access to a range of records and partner agencies to allow it to carry out a detailed assessment, and to make recommendations for improvements where necessary.
The company expects to complete its evidence gathering by the end of this month, and prepare a report on its findings for the council by December 15. The findings will later be made public.
Yesterday Castle Morpeth Council leader, Coun Peter Jackson, said: “The main purpose of this review is to get an external view of the actions taken during the emergency, and get a lessons learned report.
“We know that much of what was done during the emergency was very good, but are aware that certain things could have been done better.”
