Important new lessons have been learnt as a result of the successful operation to safeguard Great Yarmouth during the tidal surge of 8/9 November last year.

How to issue flood warnings, evacuation procedures and the role of the flood sirens are just some of the issues highlighted in a ‘lessons learnt’ review being carried out by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Others lessons learnt include:

• Increasing sandbag stockpiles by 30%

• The increased use of local media to give out public information

• Reviewing the number and location of sandbag distribution points

• Further strengthening local intelligence on flood risk

• Integration of the Borough Council and Police flood plans

• More improvements to rest centre provision

• Enhance preparedness of communities, the voluntary sector and business’, and

• Increase preparedness for Recovery phase and agreed mutual aid support with other Councils

The Borough Council’s Head of Communities, Mark Burns, who led the Council’s response at Silver Command which oversaw the operation, said:

”Although the authorities and public dealt pretty well with this, it was actually the best learning experience any of us could have. In the hopefully unlikely event something else happens we want to do even better and we want the public to feel more reassured and ready to cope as well”.

Simultaneous to this review, Norfolk County Council, are reviewing the future role of flood sirens and again the recent near miss has given an insight into this.

Many who deal with civil emergency planning believe that the evacuation was carried out in a better, more managed approach and people were warned well in advance without the use of sirens. This allowed for a calm evacuation of areas at risk in a staged approach which avoided undue congestion and panic.

“The Police were particularly effective in giving advice through “door-knocking” many houses in flood prone areas. Rest Centres were opened and prepared in advance to receive evacuees.

However, a counter view is that sirens still offer a last resort option.

“Before this event I too felt the sirens still had a ‘last resort’ role to play, but when you think about it setting them off early could spread panic and confusion,” continued Mark.

“Setting them off after a major flood is too late and again may put people in danger if they venture onto the streets in large numbers. However, we want to hear from the public about their thoughts on this and all the other aspects of the response.“

Feedback to the Council can be made by writing or by email to:

Tidal Surge Lessons Learnt
Emergency Planning Officer
Maltings House
Malthouse Lane
Gorleston
Great Yarmouth
NR31 0GY

Email: tidalsurge@great-yarmouth.gov.uk