Flood group hailed 'best in Britain'
A NATIONAL expert has declared that the Hawick Flood Group is the best example of its kind, throughout the whole of the UK.
A representative from the Scottish Flood Forum, the only charitable organisation solely devoted to working with food-risk communities, recently met with Hawick volunteer group – which formed to help vulnerable members of the community if another deluge hit the town.
And their progress – which includes an action plan, state-of-the-art sandbags and bridge markers – has been hailed as a shining example not just for Scotland, but the rest of the UK.
Paul Hendy, Project Manager and Flood Recovery Consultant with The Scottish Flood Forum, told the Hawick News: "Having worked with community flood groups all over the UK, the Hawick group stands alone as an example of how flooded communities can come together and share knowledge and expertise to ensure that should flooding ever occur in the area, this small but professional group is equipped to minimise the effects."
He added: "The flood group in Hawick is one of a kind, and their dedication and commitment is an example other at risk communities can learn from."
Mr Hendy, who is involved in setting up and developing community groups in Scotland, says he now looking at developing similar groups throughout the Borders.
One of the team's area co-ordinators, Gerry Aprile, told us: "He cited Hawick Flood Group as the example of best practise."
And the group plans to put their progress to the test with a mock exercise next month, and the alarm raised as though there was a severe flooding expected.
Mr Aprile added: "We have decided it is time to see how good we are. The exercise will be any day during the week beginning July 13 between the hours of 10am and 10pm.
"We want members of the public to be aware of the exercise but cannot be more specific about a time as we feel it would not give a true picture of real events."
•The Hawick Flood Group want people who live in flood risk areas to be prepared and register for the SBC automated flood alert system online at http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/council/departmentsandservices/chiefexecutives/emergencyplanning/18108.html or by completing a form available from Gerry Aprile on 377462.
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Weather for Hawick
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
