Flooding fear as snow and ice continues to thaw

Jan 15 2010 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

RESCUE crews in Northumberland will be on standby for flooding this weekend amid gloomy forecasts.

Snow has not fully thawed in all parts of the county following last week’s downfall and some areas were hit again on Wednesday night.

Predictions for the county on Saturday are for heavy rain and temperatures of between three and five degrees celsius.

This was the exact recipe for flooding that the Environment Agency spelled out last week, when it warned that heavy rain while snow melted could put communities at risk.

But county fire chief Brian Hesler last night downplayed the risk.

Northumberland County Council and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service last week insisted they were ready for the thaw, and any flooding which may result.

The council has a flood action plan which includes steps that make sure all services are ready for any potential flooding, especially in 12 high-risk areas in the county – such as Morpeth and Rothbury which were badly hit in September 2008.

Yet Mr Hesler, chief fire officer and head of community safety for the council, told said yesterday he has no concerns about flooding for Northumberland this weekend and immediately beyond, a message endorsed by the agency.

Information given to the fire chief yesterday lunchtime suggested there will be a gradual thaw with a small amount of rain, around 10 millimetres over a 24-hour period today, tomorrow, and Sunday.

Mr Hesler said that there is always a risk of being caught out by a rapid thaw and said his service will remain vigilant.

He said: “We have said all this before and been caught out so we want to remain prepared.