Flooding alert sirens to be tested next week

Since the devastating floods in the area in June 2000, the Environment Agency has replaced and extended its network of sirens which service the Upper Calder Valley.

There are now eight sirens in the area and these need to be tested on an annual basis. Each siren, which sounds like an air raid siren, has an audibility level of 139dB at 1m.

On Thursday, sirens will be tested at 11am at Todmorden and Walsden; 12 noon at Hebden Bridge; and 2pm at Mytholmroyd.

Each test will last for two minutes and residents and businesses in the towns do not need to take any action when hearing the sirens at these times.

Amanda Foster, Environment Agency flood incident management technical specialist said: "It is important that we test these sirens to check that they are working properly and can be triggered remotely from our incident room in Leeds.

"Although no action needs to be taken during the test, please remember that if you hear the sirens at any other time then they are a warning of a flood.

The Upper Calder Valley sirens have been installed to complement the Environment Agency's free Floodline Warnings Direct service, which sends an automatic message by landline, mobile telephone, email or fax to those who have signed up, telling them when flooding is imminent.

In the valley about 4,300 properties are eligible for the free flood warnings service, but fewer than half have registered.

Environment Agency officers will be in Hebden Bridge and Todmorden markets between 10am and 3pm on Thursday for householders and businesses to check if they are eligible for Floodline Warnings Direct.

For information about Floodline Warnings Direct, call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.