Agenda item

(To receive a verbal report from Steve Eason-Harris, Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Officer and Deborah Campbell, Flood and Coastal Risk Manager (Environment Agency), on the response to the recent severe flood warnings issued for the East Coast for the 13 January 2017)

The Committee received a short verbal update from Norman Robinson (Environment Agency), which advised the Committee on the process and procedures put in place behind the scenes, prior to the state of emergency in Lincolnshire being declared on 13 January 2017 by the Strategic Command Group.  The Committee noted that six severe flood warnings had been put into action, as a result of predicted tidal surge and expected excess wave action due to force nine winds which as a result could have seen significant over topping along the east coast from Donna Nook to Gibraltar Point. A slide presented to the Committee indicated that the surge height predicted could have exceeded the surge height of 1.8m which occurred in 2013.  It was highlighted that around 100 soldiers from the Catterick army base had been deployed to Skegness, where about 3,000 people had been urged to leave their homes or move upstairs.

The Committee was advised that the co-ordinated support for Lincolnshire had been led by the Strategic Command Group.  The Committee noted that the Environment Agency had been able to draft in 60 extra staff over the three days to help deploy temporary barriers, sandbags and provide advice. 

A concern raised by some members of the Committee was how to get across to members of the public how dangerous these situations were, especially when some still continued to be close spectators on promenades, and coastal paths where the full impact of waves would be felt.

Steve Eason-Harris, Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Officer concurred with the earlier presentation and reiterated that everything had been in place to deal with a flood situation and evacuation had the need arisen.

It was reported that the feedback had been fantastic and that that all agencies, organisations had all worked together to get everything right, to ensure that lessons learnt from 2013 had been incorporated into the response.

It was reported further that a de-brief was due to take place on 9 March 2017, from which a report would be written which would be made available to members of the Committee.

The Committee was advised that the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum work was being promoted by the Cabinet Office; and some of the policies were being taken on as a tool to promote best practise.

Some members of the Committee felt that a letter of thanks should be sent to the Gold Commander and team for a job well done.

It was also highlighted that the issue of food security and the importance of farming land needed to be uppermost in any discussions/lobbying going forward. 

Some discussion took place surrounding notification lead up time, and the Committee was advised that Flood Warning notification started five days in advance; and then reviewed three days in advance, when conversations would be had with partner organisations. 

It was also highlighted that secondary sea defences were very important, and the Committee was advised the Environment Agency was working with South Holland Internal Drainage Board regarding designating a trial section.  The Committee noted that legal advice was being sought regarding this.  The Committee noted further that if the initial investigations were successful, the work would be explored further, and a decision would then be taken on whether to expand the initiative. 

RESOLVED

That a letter should be sent from the Chairman on behalf of the Committee to the Gold Commander and team expressing appreciation for all their hard work and dedication during the recent Coastal Tidal Surge for the East Coast on 13 January 2017.