Scottish Flood Forum - Supporting flood risk communities in Scotland

Portlethen Community Flood Group

paulhe — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 21:01:11 +0000

Its not many groups that send me a list of 20 questions prior to my arrival, but at least I had chance to be as prepared as I could be when the SFF met representatives from the community and local councillors on Wednesday (24^th) evening, when we visited the new community flood group in Portlethen.

What an enthusiastic group all with a commitment to work with the various agencies and local council to try to resolve their concerns of possible flooding in the area.

Thanks to you all for your hospitality and time taken to show me the various sites and to discuss the issues you face.

SFF meet with MSP Nigel Don

paulhe — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:51:46 +0000

Friday 19 April saw the SFF meeting with MSP Nigel Don.

We had already worked closely with the constituency office since the flooding in Stonehaven (Dec 2012) over a number if issues that had arisen, and were aware of the time Mr Don had already invested in many of the flooded areas from Edzell to Stonehaven and places in between.

Our time together gave us chance to talk through both active and future issues that people and communities faced both during and after a flood and how these could be best dealt with including longer term impacts.

Mr Don showed special interest in the problems people are facing regarding insurance and renewal premiums knowing that this was going to be a real problem for many throughoutScotland who had been flooded last year.

The SFF is particularly grateful to Nigel Don for his continued support and interest and came away with a greater understanding of just how committed and busy a MSP can be.

Thank you Nigel Don for your time it was deeply appreciated.

Newton Stewart Community Flood Group

paulhe — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:40:52 +0000

As part of our commitment to Community Flood Groups throughoutScotlandthe SFF try’s to provide support on a regular basis, especially with a new group during its early start-up period.

Tuesday 16 April was the date for their latest meeting, unfortunately clashing with a Multi Agency Recovery Meeting in Stonehaven,

The Highlight of the Flood Group meeting were two presentations the first by James McLeod from Dumfries and Galloway Council who spoke on the Flood Risk Management Act (2009) and its influence on flood risk communities as well as statutory agencies and their roles in mitigating against flood risk.

The Second presentation by a consultant engineer dealt with some of the issues surrounding Newton Stewart flooding which would enable some flood risk options to be considered at a later date.

Fettercairn SFF Property flood protection exhibition

paulhe — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:33:45 +0000

Thursday 11 April saw the SFF hold a flood product exhibition in the Village hall. Building on the work of the Fettercairn community flood group the exhibition was well publicised and a number of new enquiries were added to the list of properties that we were asked to survey.

The SFF flood protection survey is an advisory survey looking at potential flood risks, building construction and previous history of flooding.

We offer a choice of products – but working closely with Aberdeenshire Council who already run a subsidised flood protection scheme – in this situation we suggest a take up of the Councils products where this is the best option.

Thank you to the Fettercairn Community Flood Group for their support.

St Cyrus follow up flood visits

paulhe — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:11:17 +0000

Following the Community Council meeting the SFF were asked to visit a caravan park and properties directly affected by the storm damage in St Cyrus,

It is always difficult to share with individuals and business owners who see many years of hard work and effort destroyed by flood damage.

Especially when there are no easy solutions.

SFF visit Auchenblae

paulhe — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:56:20 +0000

At the request of Auchenblae Community Council the SFF were invited to join with them on a walk along the Luther Water a burn that had burst its banks during the December storms and caused extensive damage to the community children’s play area and pathways.

The group were to be commended in that it had already looked a a number of options, including under the direction of SEPA river bank maintenance, discussions on use of a natural basin for water storage in flood conditions, and natural flood management.

A very worth while visit, the SFF plan to now hold a flood protection exhibition in the village, and to continue to support the group as they move forward,

Follow up Flood Protection Surveys – Edzell

paulhe — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:53:50 +0000

Following the sucsessful flood protection Exhibition in Edzell a couple of weeks ago the SFF is busy following up on surveys and advice within the community, any one requiring further information please get in contact and we will pop over to see you -

Kingskettle – Flood group up and running

paulhe — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:32:37 +0000

It’s always deeply encouraging to see communities united behind a common cause. The SFF was kindly invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the Fettercairn flood group.

Consisting of 8 members each with key skills to look at the causes and effects of the recent flooding as well as developing community resilience within the area – I see good things happening.

Following on from the meeting a date was set to hold a SFF flood product exhibition on 11 April 2013

Maspie Community Flood group visit Glen Devon NFM site

paulhe — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:41:31 +0000

The snow was deep in fact so deep you could scarcely make out the ground, the wind blew cold from the north, hurtling down the glens of Scotland and seemed to arrive just as a party of the Maspie Community Flood Group arrived in the wilderness (well it seemed like it) of Glen Devon – blizzard conditions not quite but chilly definitely.

The Charity WWF a number of years ago piloted a natural flood management site by courtesy of the Forestry Commission and funding from HSBC to show how effective and simple Natural Flood Management could be. This environmentally friendly site demonstrates by the use of natural materials and planning can hold back water in an upstream area to mitigate against the effects of downstream flooding.

Although the snow prevented a full appreciation of the scheme – we saw sufficient to grasp the general principles that were required and the benefits resulting from the project.

Please remind me next time to take my flask of ………. ?

Inaugural Meeting of Fettercairn Flood Group

paulhe — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:31:09 +0000

Its always deeply encouraging to see communities united behind a common cause. The SFF was kindly invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the Fettercairn flood group.

Consisting of 8 members each with key skills to look at the causes and effects of the recent flooding as well as developing community resilience within the area – I see good things happening.

Following on from the meeting a date was set to hold a SFF flood product exhibition on 11 April 2013