Heavy rain causes heavy call volumes for Control

Storm Henk kept our Fire Control busy on Tuesday as they fielded calls about floods and wind damage. During a ten-hour period, they received 50 weather-related calls. Some of these were relating to flooding inside properties or drivers requiring assistance in flood waters.

As rain fell on already saturated ground, they initially received calls about flooding, including roads that had become overwhelmed. As the wind speeds picked up, the calls changed to loose tiles and downed cables, but the majority were about fallen trees, some blocking roads. As there was no danger to life, these were referred to local councils and highways for them to manage and clear.

Station Commander Faye Roast said: “Our Fire Control handled an unprecedented number of calls related to the wind and rain caused by Storm Henk. A large proportion were non-emergency calls, relating to fallen trees or roads flooding so we would like to remind people to only call 999 if there is an immediate risk to life.”