After the storm...
STORM Dennis forced 16 flood warnings, 17 fire and rescue incidents and almost 100 call-outs to highways teams across Warwickshire.
Warwickshire County Council has released a series of statistics which highlight how its staff coped with the impact of the storm over the weekend.
At one point, 16 flood warnings were in place across Warwickshire; 12 were still in place as of 1.30pm on February 18 but with river levels falling that number was set to fall also.
The County’s Highways Team responded to a total of 78 call outs between Saturday and Monday with 28 in North Warwickshire and 51 in South Warwickshire.
There were seven roads closed across the county and unplanned traffic management was established at three points - A444 Northbound at Bedworth, A435 at Mappleborough Green and Stoneleigh Road by the National Agricultural Centre
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 17 incidents relating to Storm Dennis in the 48 hour period.
These included rescuing five cars that had become stuck in flood water, two large animal rescues and five calls to reports of internal and external flooding.
Members of the Flood Risk Management Team responded to four reports of internal building flooding in properties around the county and 20 reports of highway, external property and garden flooding. Councillor Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “I know that a number of teams from the council worked long shifts this weekend to make sure that Warwickshire was kept safe and also able to return to business quickly in the aftermath of Storm Dennis.
“A lot of work goes on in the background to make sure that Warwickshire can respond swiftly and effectively when we are faced with an emergency. Yesterday, that preparation paid off and I am proud of, and grateful to, all those staff who worked with our communities to help to keep them and their properties safe.”
Further rain is expected this week although the Met Office does not believe it will add to the flooding situation in Warwickshire.
But Cllr Andy Crump, cabinet member for fire and rescue and community safety, urged residents to remain alert.
“I would urge our communities to follow advice provided and acknowledge weather warnings,” he said.
“If travel is required please proceed with caution and ensure that routes involving any water, especially fords or low-lying areas, are avoided.
“Warwickshire’s Fire and Rescue Service needs all of its capacity at times like this, whether to tackle problems in the county or to help our neighbouring counties, and we need our residents to avoid preventable incidents which take resource away.
“I would also call on our communities to look out for some of their more vulnerable residents and check that they are safe. Please, keep an eye on the Met Office website to get up to date information and plan any travelling accordingly.”