Flood Wardens
Witney Flood Wardens
Left to Right: Darren, Steve, William, Chris, Terry, Mike
Flood wardens are members of the local community – they can be individuals, representatives of the parish council or existing volunteers, for example, community resilience volunteers already part of community emergency plans, highway wardens or police volunteers.
Flood wardens can help local communities to understand their flood risk and that they all have a responsibility to look after themselves, their family and property before, during and after a flood.
Flood wardens can monitor blocked drains and culverts, ditches in need of repair, trees or branches, any obstructions in rivers/watercourses, and anything else that may cause a flood risk and report them to the appropriate land, property owners or local authority.
Witney Flood Wardens started as a pilot group from an initiative by Oxfordshire County Council and is now fully fledged and established in Witney with 7 members, all who are volunteers. All wardens have been trained in their roles by Oxfordshire County Council, have completed a risk assessment, have insurance cover, and are issued with high visibility jackets with ‘Flood Warden’ identified on them. Some have been directly impacted by flooding so know what it can be like, and all are kind people who want to help their community by giving up their time and energy to help.
What They Do
- Identify flood risks and understand the types of flooding that can occur.
- Be aware of the risks and hazards associated with flood events.
- Identify flood risk issues and report these:
- Know what areas are likely to flood and why, through local knowledge.
- Report main river obstructions to the Environment Agency.
- Report ordinary watercourse obstructions to District Councils.
- Report blocked drains/gulleys to Oxfordshire Highways.
- Collect and report on information from flood events.
- Engage with the community in the various areas where they are allocated.
- Have Community Flood Plans drawn up and shared with their communities.
- Know the procedure and locations for Evacuation Centres.
- Engage with you as your local representatives. Any feedback or suggestions will be communicated via the Flood Wardens to the authorities as required.
- Meet regularly and keep each other updated via the Witney Flood Wardens WhatsApp group.
Who They Are
- Mike Taylor, Miller’s Mews – Warden for West End, Millers Mews, West End Industrial Estate.
- Chris Hopkins, Bridge Street – Warden for Bridge Street, High Street.
- Steve Johnson, Woodpecker Way – Warden for Mill Street including Woodford Mill, Riverside Gardens, Riverside House.
- Dean Temple, Westfield Road – Warden for Hailey Road, Eastfield Road, Cannons Pool.
- Darren Smith, Burwell Close – Warden for Witan Way properties and Aquarius development on New Bridge Street.
- Terry Willemite, Corn Street – Warden for Madley Brook.
- William Wareing, New Yatt Road – WFG Chairman and Flood Wardens Coordinator.
Remember in the case of an emergency
If the danger is outside: go in, stay in, tune in
If the danger is inside: get out, stay out and call the emergency services on 999
Always follow instructions from the emergency services