Flooding Situation - Emergency Services Update Tuesday 24 July 2007

Flooding Situation - Emergency Services Update 1.15am

Gold Group has been meeting again to discuss the unprecedented situation that is facing Gloucestershire.
Attention is currently focused on Walham Substation. Contrary to recent reports the situation here is stable, emergency services along with the military continue to work to secure the site. We are cautiously optimistic that power can be maintained.

Preparatory work is underway so experts can gain access to the Mythe Water Pumping Station at Tewkesbury in a bid to return water supply to the 70,000 households in Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham without mains supply. It is being reported, flood waters around the area are receding.
Severn Trent Water is aiming to have around 900 bowser in place throughout the county by tomorrow. A list of these locations is available on the Gloucestershire Constabulary website.
The Royal Logistics Corp are now assisting in the planned delivery of water working with Severn Trent and the local authority to target the most needy areas first.
We would like to thank the public for their continuing assistance with this process and ask for people to remain responsible during this difficult time. It is essential we are able to deliver sufficient water to all members of the community. Please can people continue to ensure that any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours have sufficient supplies. Please consider your water usage and try to conserve as much as possible.

There has been a minimal change in the situation regarding water levels, but levels in Tewkesbury have receded slightly. Levels in Gloucester have peaked around the docks area and the situation is stable.

Power is being restored to the Castlemeads substation. The amount of homes which remain without power has been reduced to around 9,700 in the Gloucestershire area. Efforts continue to restore power to some those homes without supply in Priors Park, Tewkesbury.

Six streets in the Bristol Road area of Gloucester were evacuated earlier this afternoon due to flooding, with many residents choosing to stay with friends and relatives. A number of people have been evacuated from a location on the outskirts of Gloucester earlier this evening, this was undertaken by the RAF. The RAF are describing this operation as the biggest ever during peace time. Those who are being evacuated are reminded to switch off all their electrical equipment is turned off and ensure they have all the medication they need with them.

Two rest centres are currently open with less than 50 evacuees being catered for between two centres at Heywood School, Cinderford, and in GL1 in Gloucester City Centre.
Leaflets with advice about how to manage during power and water shortages have been prepared and are being distributed to affected communities.

Royal Mail have agreed to do this on our behalf, this advice will also be appearing Gloucestershire's local press.

Emergency Services Update - 4am

Emergency Services, the military and other agencies have been working tirelessly
throughout the night in a bid to restore power to homes throughout Gloucestershire.

Power has now been restored to all homes that were affected as a result of the flooding at Castlemeads substation. There is also a positive picture at Walham substation as the situation there remains under control.

As the situation at the county's substations becomes less critical emergency services will be directing their resources to other areas affected by the flooding. As a result of this people may see a large amount of movement of personnel and emergency vehicles around the county. There is no need for alarm, you can keep up to date with the latest information by listening to local radio or visiting the news pages of this website.

River levels have peaked and the level is now falling, but due to the current high volumes of water this is happening quite slowly.

Preparatory work is underway so experts can gain access to the Mythe Water Pumping Station at Tewkesbury today, in a bid to return water supply to the 70,000 households in Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Severn Trent Water is aiming to have around 900 bowser in place throughout the county by later today. A list of these locations is available by clicking here. A hotline has been opened for people to report any empty bowsers, this is 0845 022 055, it will be staffed 24 hours a day.

The Royal Logistics Corp are now assisting in the planned delivery of water working with Severn Trent and the local authority to target the most needy areas first.

We would like to thank the public for their continuing assistance with this process and ask for people to remain responsible during this difficult time. It is essential we are able to deliver sufficient water to all members of the community. Please can people continue to ensure that any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours have sufficient supplies. Please consider your water usage and try to conserve as much as possible.

Leaflets with advice about how to manage during power and water shortages have been prepared and are being distributed to affected communities.

Royal Mail have agreed to do this on our behalf, this advice will also be appearing Gloucestershire's local press

• Also see : http://www.stwater.co.uk

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