RESIDENTS in flood-risk areas of Wirral are being encouraged to “drop in” to a public event this week held in the aftermath of recent flooding in the borough.

Dozens of householders were forced to leave their homes after a month’s rain fell in 48 hours.

The worst affected area was Moreton where torrential downpours on Wednesday, September 2, caused the River Fender and River Birket to burst their banks adding to already high water levels.

Wirral Council officials and representatives from the Environment Agency and United Utilities have arranged drop in sessions for residents to get advice on how to cope with the aftermath of flooding, air their views and find out more about what can be done to minimise the risk of their area being so seriously affected by flood waters in the future.

Help and advice on a wide-range of related issues will be covered during the drop-in sessions including clean up advice, housing options, emergency planning, drainage and local welfare assistance.

The event will take place from 1pm-7pm at Moreton Community Centre, Maryland Lane, Moreton on Wednesday, September 16.

RELATED STORIES

Cllr Bernie Mooney, Wirral’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “Nobody forecast that Wirral would receive the equivalent of an average September rainfall in the space of just 12 hours on that Thursday.

“It was a freak level of rainfall and drainage systems and rivers across the whole of Wirral struggled to cope with that.

“However, we know that there are a number of locations where the risk of flooding is heightened due to the proximity of rivers and streams and it is in these areas where we look to work in partnership with other agencies to proactively communicate with o residents and landlords to explain what their responsibilities are in the event of flooding, as well as explaining what help and assistance we and the other agencies can give.”

John Leyland, from the Environment Agency, said: “Since the flooding, our staff have been focused on the community and have been on site collecting data and talking to residents to help advise them on the next steps in the recovery process.

“To help facilitate the recovery process, we encourage people to drop by and be prepared for flooding by checking their own flood risk and get early flood warnings, by visiting our website or calling our 24-hour Floodline on 0345 988 1188.”