CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride is urging communities in his constituency to ensure they have emergency plans in place in case of future floods.

Many town and parish councils have adopted such plans since Devon was badly affected by flooding in 2012. Following some particularly heavy rainfalls in West Devon, Mr Stride is eager to ensure each community where flooding is a risk has a strategy if the worst was to happen again.

He said: ‘In December we saw some of the worst flooding the UK has ever seen with 16,000 homes under water. Although the damage was worst in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and parts of Scotland it would be naïve to think Devon doesn’t remain vulnerable, despite the significant improvements made to flood defences in the county over the last three years.

‘I am pleased many town and parish councils have adopted emergency flood plans, which can include alert systems, the appointment of voluntary flood wardens and access to sandbags, and I strongly urge councils that have not yet done so to make it a priority.’

For more information on how to prepare to fight floods, read the January 21 edition of the Times.