Rising Waters: Navigating Community Flood Resilience

Show NotesIn this episode of Rising Waters, hosts Alex and Steph talk to Phil Rothwell, chair of a regional committee that looks after flood risk management in Northumbria, and Ed Rollason, a lecturer in geography at Northumbria University who also is an independent expert on the regional committee that Phil Rothwell chairs. Together they discuss the need to build trust and collaboration between authorities, flood experts, and communities, and how the use of local knowledge as well as technology can prove to be invaluable.Actionable insights: Rural vs. Urban Communities In rural and urban communities, flood risk is something which can be seen in a different light. This can depend on factors like local knowledge, the history of flooding, and solidarity of the community. Terminology Certain terms such as ‘1-in-30 year flood’, can cause confusion and can be misleading for the public as they may think flood events are ‘one offs’ when in fact each flood can be different. Local Knowledge The importance of building trust between authorities, experts and communities is vital. This can be achieved through both working with trusted community organisations and leaders, and listening to often overlooked local knowledge. Community Networks Social capital and community networks are important for resilience. The downside is this can be disrupted by high turnover in a community. Communication and Technology Although technology and data are valuable tools in flood warnings and management, authorities still need to work closely with communities and communicate with them clearly.

In this episode of The Rising Waters Podcast, hosts, Alex and Frayer are joined by Assistant Director in Local Government and Strategic Lead for Community Resilience at Cleveland Local Resilience Forum, Gemma Ptak and Social Scientist Dr. Jatinder Singh Mehmi. Together, they discuss the value of engaging with hidden voices within marginalised communities and why overcoming barriers such as literacy and digital access, as well as fostering trust through genuine and sometimes vulnerable relationships can help to make community engagement more inclusive. Actionable insights:Addressing Barriers to EngagementWhy it’s important to identify engagement barriers such as educational attainment, location, digital access and time constraints and why these barriers prevent certain groups from having their voices heard. Finding Inclusive Engagement MethodsA deep dive into inclusive engagement methods that can be used including providing support services to help address underlying challenges.Prioritising Diversity and InclusionRecognising that communities are not homogenous and that there is diversity within groups that need to be represented. Plus, the actions we can take such as using data (Census information) to better understand the unique needs of the community being engaged with.Building Genuine Relationships and TrustUnderstanding that engagement should not be transactional and the positive impact that investing time in developing genuine, authentic relationships can have on community engagement.Adapting Methods of CommunicationHow the use of inclusive, creative and interactive communication and providing options and flexibility can make a difference to community engagement, allowing others to feel more comfortable to share their voices.Prioritising Transparency and FeedbackWhy there is value in being upfront about the purpose, process and intended use of engagement. Plus, the importance of creating opportunities for ongoing feedback, as well as acknowledging unique limitations and vulnerabilities some communities may have.

In this episode of Rising Waters, Alex and Zara talk about natural flood management with experts Andy King and Basil Dean from the Environment Agency, and Kryzsztof Dabrowski, a Beaver Technical Specialist. They discuss the benefits of reintroducing once native species like beavers back into the UK to act as natural flood management, amongst other solutions such as river restoration and soil health improvement. Urban applications are also discussed, the need for community involvement and education on implementing these solutions more urgent than ever. Actionable Insights:Natural Flood Management:Nature based solutions to flooding can improve ecosystems, habitats, and public spaces. This involves restoring rivers, floodplains, and wetlands to reduce flood risk. Beavers as a Key ‘Eco Engineer’ Beavers are nature’s ‘eco-engineers’, building dams and creating wetlands. This behaviour can slow down the flow of water, thereby reducing flood peaks. Urban Solutions to FloodingGreen roofs, sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), and restoring rivers and streams could provide a solution to reduce urban flooding. Air quality, cooling and biodiversity are some of the extra benefits of this nature-based approach in urban areas. Community Engagement Community engagement is essential to the success of nature-based flood management projects. Locals can provide their own knowledge of the area and can help build buy-in and ownership for the changes. A Vision for the FutureA world where natural spaces can be appreciated by all, made more accessible as well as river and water systems given more room to behave naturally, allowing humans to reconnect with nature.

In this episode of Rising Waters, hosts Stephanie and Frayer are joined by Alex from the Environment Agency’s agriculture team and William, a farmer. Together they discuss the challenges farmers face around flooding and the impact this has on soil, crops and livestock. The importance of community resilience is also highlighted, as well as a sharing of knowledge on how to better navigate the consequences of flooding. Actionable Insights:Flooding Challenges Farmers Face:The devastating impact on crops and livestock due to fields being flooded for longer periods of time and how this loss of nutrients through floodwater washes away fertilizers and pesticides. Financial Loss & StressHow financial losses from crop loss and difficulty managing livestock can create stress on farmers and their business, and how this devastating impact can take a toll on their business and livelihood.How Farmers are Adapting:A look into how, by improving drainage systems and infrastructure, water can flow away in a more efficient manner, and how soil health and water retention can be improved through practices such as reduced tillage and direct drilling.Community:How support from the local farming community, both mental and physical, can foster further resilience both during and after flood events. Plus, a deep dive into how online resources such as the National Farmer’s Union can provide farms with much needed help and support. 

In this episode of The Rising Waters Podcast, hosts Alex and Stephanie sit down with Colin Hall from The Environment Agency’s Flood Resilience Team and John Hayton from Durham Wildlife Trust to discuss practical ways to maintain flood resilience in your home, particularly through the implementation of ‘yardens’. They discuss the concept of a yarden and the impact they have on managing flooding and excess run-off in urban areas. Colin and John also share insights into how we can all do our bit in helping to make our outdoor spaces more flood-resilient whilst also being environmentally friendly.Actionable Insights:What is a Yarden?A deeper dive into what a ‘Yarden’ is and how they help manage excess rainwater in urban gardens, slow down water run-off, and create a more natural, wildlife friendly environment that can also benefit mental health. The Concept of a Rain GardenWhat a rain garden is and how it can help to both capture and filter rain water from roofs and gutters, before it can enter our drainage systems. Plus, tips and advice on how you can create your own rain garden at home. The Importance of Property Level Flood ResilienceHow implementing measures like flood doors, barriers and valves can aid in protecting your home from surface water flooding. Community EngagementHow community engagement and collective action can help build community flood resilience, such as clearing drains, litter picking, reporting issues and assisting neighbours with installing flood protection. Impact of Improper Waste DisposalHow improper waste disposal such as flushing wipes down the toilet and pouring fat down drains can clog draining systems and exacerbate flooding. Useful resources: Blue Pages National Flood Forum for PFR advice:https://bluepages.org.uk/

In this episode of The Rising Waters Podcast, we’re exploring the intricacies of incident management with experts from The Environment Agency and Local Resilience Forums, August, Stuart Marshall and Lewis Swallow. The discussion dives deep into how communities can collaborate with authorities before, during and after a flood, whilst also highlighting the significance of community involvement, training and preparedness in enhancing flood resilience. Practical advice is also given on how and why everyone should create a personal flood plan.Actionable Insights:Improving Flood Warning Systems and Community EngagementHow working closely with local flood warden groups and expanding community based flood initiatives such as flood hubs, community mapping and youth education can improve flood warning systems and build resilience, especially in areas with unreliable power/communications.Training and Exercises for Incident Response TeamsThe comprehensive training done by Incident Response Teams beyond their day-to-day duties that ensure preparedness, including the testing of coordination between different agencies, as well as incorporating community engagement.Fostering Trust Within CommunitiesPrioritising building relationships with local communities before incidents occur, ensuring Community Information Officers (CIOs) and other staff engaging are empowered to listen, empathise and provide useful guidance.Local Resilience Forums: Northumbria (Northumberland, Tyne and Wear) Northumberland County Council - Northumbria Local Resilience ForumCleveland (Redcar, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Stockton): Cleveland Emergency Planning Unit - Cleveland LRFDurham and Darlington LRF: County Durham and Darlington Local Resilience Forum | County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue ServiceReporting a flood to the right place: Report a flood or possible cause of flooding - GOV.UKFlood line: (0345 988 1188)Prepare for flooding: Flooding UK: Prepare for floods | British Red CrossPrepare for flooding: Protect yourself from future flooding - GOV.UK#Flooding #EnvironmentAgency #RisingWaters #IncidentManagement #Community #FloodResilience

In this episode of The Rising Waters Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Colin are joined by John and Joanne, residents of a village in North West Newcastle. Together, they discuss their experiences in forming a flood group, outlining the steps they took to get started. They emphasise the importance of understanding local flood risks and highlight the value of coming together as a community to complete training and exercises locally. The .Gov website and The Flood Hub have all the resources you need to get started building your flood group, if you need a hand with any of these and you live in the North East, our Engagement Team can help you start, recruit and maintain any of the below. Reach out to us here: [email protected].  How to form a Flood Group guide(PDF Download): A-Guide-to-Forming-a-Flood-Group.pdf Community Flood Plan Guidance: Community flood plan - GOV.UK Community Flood Plan Template: FT Q R114 - Community-flood-plan-and-blank-template Actionable insights: Forming a Flood Group Guidance on how to form a local flood group and how doing so can improve community flood resilience. The conversation also takes a deep dive into the responsibilities of a local flood group, including training workshops provided by organisations such as the Environment Agency. Preparing For Floods Why creating a flood plan is essential and should be treated as an ‘evolving document’ that requires continuous updates and improvements to remain effective.  Understanding your Community Understanding your community’s vulnerabilities, access routes, and demographics to ensure proper preparation and tailored responses to flooding incidents. Establishing Clear Roles and Responsibilities Ensuring that flood wardens, deputies, and other volunteers have clearly defined roles and responsibilities to avoid confusion during emergencies and how evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each group member can assist in effectively assigning roles within flood groups. Leveraging Technology and Online Resources How tools like river level monitoring websites and WhatsApp groups can improve awareness and communication within a flood group and why it’s important to identify and utilise the most relevant digital resources available. Engaging the Community How community events that unite residents and emergency responders encourage collaborative relationships and how infrequent events can lead to challenges in maintaining flood preparedness.

In this episode of The Rising Waters Podcast, we discuss the emotional and physical toll of flooding whilst also sharing first hand accounts from Charlotte Windsor, who experienced the devastation flooding can inflict. We also meet a community activist, Lorna Farr, who shares her insights into how we can all be a bit more prepared to minimise our flood risk and support others to be more flood resilient. For support with anxiety or trauma or any other effects on well being head to ⁠Where to get urgent help for mental health - NHS⁠ If you want to look into insuring your home, business or rented home – head to Prepare for flooding: ⁠Prepare for flooding: Get insurance - GOV.UK⁠ Check your postcode for possible future flooding: ⁠Check the long term flood risk for an area in England - GOV.UK⁠ Sign up for flood warnings here: ⁠Sign up for flood warnings - GOV.UK⁠ This Weeks Actionable Insights: Preparation Emphasis on the importance of preparation, including putting together an ‘emergency flood bag’, containing essential items such as spare clothes, food, medication and blankets. Flood Insurance First hand stories which amplify the importance of staying on top of insurance renewal and how not having insurance in place can significantly delay recovery after flooding takes place. Flood Wardens The powerful and impactful work flood wardens do, including helping to monitor water levels and communicating with communities. Communication and Collaboration Why meeting with and talking to communities is so valuable when it comes to raising awareness of flooding issues and co-ordinating response efforts. Resilience and Preparedness The importance of community coming together, helping each other and taking personal responsibility and accountability for flood risk management. Being Aware of Your Flood Risk Valuable insights into how  you can check your flood risk online and sign up for free flood warning alerts from the government. Feedback: if you would like to give us any feedback on the show and what you might like to see in the future, please let us know here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/63P2KWG This podcast was funded by the Environment Agency and the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, in partnership with North East England's Risk Management Authorities and Local Lead Flooding Authorities. Created and Produced with the fantastic Flamingo Heights, Newcastle. #FloodResilience #EnvironmentAgency #FloodPreparedness #FloodRecovery #RisingWaters

Welcome to The Rising Waters Podcast, the podcast that aims to transform the typically dry subject of flooding into engaging, informative content. Because when it comes to floods, knowledge is power.  Hosts Alex, Stephanie and Frayer, experts in community engagement and flood resilience, will be diving into all things flood related from property level flood barriers and equipment to powerful stories of recovery from those who have weathered the storm.  This podcast will also help provide you with knowledge, tips and advice for how you can keep yourself, your family and your community safe when the waters start to rise.  So grab your rain boots, your curiosity and maybe your umbrella and join us on The Rising Waters Podcast.  This Podcast has been produced by The Environment Agency with the help of our partners mentioned at the end of the trailer.