Flooding incidents in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Water Rescue Course 2

Murray MacGregor – Monday 17th February 2020 – 8.20am.

Ambulance staff are continuing to work with emergency services colleagues and other partners to assist residents affected by flood water.

Residents in the Hinton Road area of Hereford are being evacuated after the risk was elevated to ‘Severe’ at around 6.00am this morning after water levels rose.

Ambulance staff are at a forward control point along with the rest centre at the Homer Road Leisure Centre and assisting with any residents who need assistance.

Earlier, ambulance staff treated two patients and assessed a further 10 after flood water rose rapidly onto a caravan park in Kempsey in Herefordshire.

Emergency Services were alerted to the flooding shortly after midnight (12:20am).  The Hazardous Area Response Team, who have staff trained in water rescue was deployed along with two ambulances and a paramedic officer.  Severn Area Rescue Association were also at the scene along with fire and police.  A total of 22 people were rescued from the chalets at the park.  The two casualties were assessed at the scene and discharged.

Assistant Chief Ambualnce Officer, Nathan Hudson, said: “All of the Trust’s 30 4×4 ambulances are available to respond to incidents along with specialist resources.  The Trust remains at a high level of readiness to deal with incidents as they arise.

“It is vital that the public allow ambulance staff and the other emergency services and their partners to deal with the situation.  Please help us by not putting yourself at risk by travelling unless absolutely necessary.

“If you are in an area that has historically been affected by flooding, please ensure that you are up to date with the current advice available from the Environment Agency.  You can check your flood risk here.

“For drivers, please do not drive through flood waters; we have already seen numerous cases of cars becoming stranded.  It takes remarkably little water to put you and your car at risk.”

Ends

Water Rescue Course 3(Library Pictures)

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