Your views count

Malton & Norton - Monday, 4 February 2013 from 12 noon to 6pm.

The National Flood Forum (NFF) roadshow will be at the Asda supermarket carpark on Norton Road, Norton-on-Derwent.

The National Flood Forum is a national charity dedicated to supporting and representing communities and individuals at risk of flooding. 

It works to support the recovery of victims of flooding, to improve resilience of communities to future flood threat and speaks out to highlight the plight of flood victims and the need for adequate flood prevention investment.

They do this by:

• Helping people to prepare for flooding in order to prevent it or mitigate its impacts
• Helping people to recover their lives once they have been flooded
• Campaigning on behalf of flood risk communities and working with government and agencies to ensure that they develop a community perspective.

Staff at the roadshow will be on hand to provide support for local people to ensure that the needs of flood risk communities are represented.

"The National Flood Forum is independent and understands the trauma people go through after flooding in their properties. At this event resident will be able to come and talk about how they feel, and what happened to them but also gain advice and information including insurance" said Heather Shepherd, Community and Recovery Support from The National Flood Forum.

Support for the roadshow has come from members of Silver Command including Ryedale District Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency and the emergency services.

The roadshow will provide another way in which the community can feed into the multi-agency review of recent flooding events, which North Yorkshire County Council are leading. The review aims to gather evidence from the widest range of sources possible, so that future planning and investment can be focused in the right places.

"The views of people who visit the roadshow are vital in ensuring that the multi-agencies can continue to work together for the benefit of the local community," said Cllr Linda Cowling, Leader of Ryedale District Council. "I urge Ryedale residents to visit the roadshow on 4 February."

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Cawood - Tuesday, 4 February 2013 from 3pm to 8pm.

Cawood residents to call into a drop-in session in early February to learn more about the role of various agencies during high water times on the River Ouse.

The drop-in is at Old Boy's School, Old Boy's School Lane, Cawood, YO8 3TY, from 3pm to 8pm on Tuesday 5 February.

Several agencies will be present on the day, and people will be able to chat to staff from the Environment Agency, Selby District Council, North Yorkshire County Council, the Internal Drainage Board, and the local flood wardens.

Ron Johnson of the Environment Agency said: "Cawood hasn't had any major flooding since 1982, and the Environment Agency's flood defences have reduced the flood risk to 479 properties.

"But being so close to a major river means flooding could happen, and we want people to be aware of which agencies could help them during that kind of event and what the role of the Environment Agency would be.

"Local councillors thought it would be a good idea to increase this kind of public awareness and we agreed - we're always happy to share information about our work and that of our partners."

Chris Chittock chair of Cawood Parish Council said: "We are supportive of the event and would encourage Cawood residents to attend."

Over five million people in England and Wales live and work in properties that are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea.

Flooding can't always be prevented, so it's very important that people living in flood risk areas are aware of the danger and do as much preparation as possible.