The Environment Agency is using personal door-to-door visits in high-risk areas to warn as many people as possible of the risk of flooding and to encourage them to find out more about flood warnings and ways in which they can protect themselves and their property if flooding is likely.

In particular, the Agency wants to sign people up to its free 24 hour Flood Warning telephone system.

The free Automatic Voice Message (AVM) service sends voice or fax messages directly to a home, business or mobile telephone to give advanced warning of flooding which may affect property.

Next Friday 16 January, Environment Agency Wales will be knocking on doors at Loughor and Llangennech in Wales. Over 230 properties here are classed as being at risk and will be visited in an exercise which is likely to take two days.

"Many people already know about the flood warning service, but we need to keep reminding them, especially as people can move house, change their phone number or lose the leaflet we give them", explained Andy Irving, the Agency's South West Area Flood Warning Team Leader.

"We get a much better response if we go out on foot and meet people as they prefer personal contact. Through knocking the doors of individual properties at risk of flooding, we are providing an opportunity to discuss the service we offer, and why we need to offer it," Andy continued.

It is essential that residents realise flooding can never be totally prevented as it is a natural event. Whilst the Agency does everything it can to protect and warn people, it isn’t possible to remove the risk completely.

Apart from the AVM, flood warnings are broadcast on many TV and radio stations as part of weather and travel bulletins; the Agency’s internet site www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwarning, ITV Teletext (Page 169) and BBC Ceefax (Page 419).

In addition to this, the Agency provides a 24 hour information service Floodline 08459 88 11 88 which provides current information on Flood Warnings currently in force throughout Wales and England.

Although the Agency issues Flood Warnings, it can never physically stop flooding from occurring. It is vital that people know how Flood Warnings are issued and think well in advance what practical steps they can take to protect themselves and prevent flood damage to their properties. Free bilingual advice guides on how to protect your home or business from flooding are available from Floodline 08459 88 11 88.

The Automatic Voice Messaging (AVM) is a free computerised system that provides a way to rapidly inform relevant communities in the event of possible flooding. It provides an appropriate warning message either by pre-recorded voice message or by fax to people who live in Flood Warning Areas. Anyone wishing to accept direct flood warnings in this way can do so by requesting the service through Floodline 0845 988 1188.