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fl ooding in their area. Each location has an associated 'quickdial' number that can
be entered to retrieve the information or users can follow a menu structure to pick
up the information they require. Messages are again written by Environment Agency
staff and entered into FWD. FWD then automatically converts text to speech and
distributes to the location on Floodline. Floodline also has a call centre staffed with
trained advisors. Staff levels can be increased during times of fl ood and any locally
specifi c or diffi cult questions can be passed through to Environment Agency staff in
the relevant location.
Following the 2007 fl oods in Britain and the Pitt Review, the Environment
Agency was encouraged to increase the number of fl ood warning recipients (The
National Archives
2010
). As a result, in 2010, the EA's fl ood warning service
became an 'opt-out' rather than an 'opt-in' service. Each week, FWD spatially que-
ries all the phone numbers of properties 'at risk' of fl ooding. Any phone numbers
that are not registered to receive fl ood warnings are added to FWD's database.
With the proliferation of connectivity to the Internet, and portable connectivity,
as well as online media and social networks, there have been a few recent enhance-
ments to the fl ood warning service in England. Individuals can now register for and
manage their Floodline Warnings Direct account online from the Environment
Agency's website.
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In the past, registrations were managed over the phone but now
'customers' can add or change their contact information, address details and recipi-
ent type themselves.
The Environment Agency also provides information, advice and tools on its
website. Individuals and community groups at risk of fl ooding are encouraged to be
aware and prepare for fl ooding. Personal and community fl ood plan templates are
available, as are suggestions for contents of fl ood kits.
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A fl ood widget featuring an
RSS feed of warnings in force is available to download to display on users' web-
sites.
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The EA also provides “Three Day Flood Risk Forecast”- an open web-based
product showing counties risk of fl ooding over the next 3 days.
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And since 2010 the Environment Agency has also provided free near real-time
river level data from 2000 of its river level sites,
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allowing those at risk to have
more detail and awareness of the approaching fl ood risk in their surroundings.
The Environment Agency now provides a version of its fl ood warning service
specifi cally for category 1 and 2 responder organisations.
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The 'Targeted Flood
Warning Service for Civil Contingency Act Responders' allows organisations with
lots of assets to track the many different fl ood warning areas, how they relate to each
individual asset and when each one is specifi cally at risk of fl ooding.
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