Freuchie Flood Action Group

During the Community Emergency Planning meeting this week,  the community was joined by representatives from Fife Fire & Rescue Service. We cannot stress enough how much value there was in having Tom Fox (Glenrothes Station Manager) and Neil McFarlane (Deputy Chief Fire Officer) come along to the meeting.

Tom delivered an enlightening and informative presentation, during which he covered everything from emergency planning and procedures, operation capacity, health and safety, equipment available to fight back flood waters and many other areas. It is amazing how much information he supplied in only 15 minutes. 

During the Q&A segment, Neil commented:

We (Fire Service personnel) will put our lives on the line to save your life! It is what we sign up to do.

This was certainly a wow moment! The general public know the emergency services routinely go into dangerous situations, but it doesn’t fully strike home the dedication and sense of duty these brave men and women have in the delivery of public service until you’ve heard it from their lips.

It was incredibly sad to see the death of PC Bill Barker in Cumbria while he was serving the local community. His wife’s words reported on the BBC website illustrate his dedication to serve the public. Freuchie Flood Action Group would like to express our immense admiration for PC Barker’s bravery and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and work colleagues.

Now back to Neil McFarlane for more insightful words:

In times of flood, we must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. We have to work safely and minimise the risk to ourselves and the general public. Property owners do not have the same constraints and may well perform actions that we would not be able to do.

Residents must recognise the emergency services are working within the confines of the law of the land. They have the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the training and have over many years devised safe procedures and systems of work for all the emergency situations they experience. When emergency service personnel instruct residents to perform a certain action it is being done by professionals who assess and deal with life threatening risk every day. Do not ignore these instructions and recommendations or you may end up making the ultimate sacrifice!

FFAG would like to thank both Neil McFarlane and Tom Fox for accepting our invitation to last week’s meeting and Freuchie Community Council for providing the timeslot during the meeting. The information they shared with the community was very enlightening and useful. The whole community looks forward to working more with the outstanding professionals from Fife Fire & Rescue Service in the future, although we do hope it is proactive rather than reactive fire fighting… or maybe that should be flood fighting!

Technorati Tags: Cumbria, Fife, Fife Fire & Rescue Service, flood, flooding, Freuchie, Freuchie Community Council, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Health and Safety at Work Act, Neil McFarlane, Tom Fox

Another excellent article by Liz Rougvie on Page 3 of this week’s Fife Herald. Freuchie gets a mention in a round-up of areas that survived flooding this time around.

Liz has also written the front page article on flooding. It is interesting to see Ming Campbell MP calling for proactive action on flooding. Freuchie Flood Action Group will be interested to hear how he is going to play a part in making this happen. His blog, as of today, fails to even mention the NE Fife floods of last Sunday.

The Fife Herald must have held the presses this week as we didn’t send them the published photo until Thursday morning. Normally you’ve got to get your submissions in by Wednesday afternoon for it to appear that week.

Thank you once again Liz.

UPDATE: Ming Campbell’s website appears to have been updated on the afternoon of the 7th November with a cut and paste of the Fife Herald article. See here.

Technorati Tags: Fife, Fife Herald, flood, flooding, Freuchie, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Ming Campbell

Fife Council may not be able to supply sandbags during a flood as Fife wide demand may well outstrip supply or they may be so overstretched that they won’t be able to deliver sandbags in time. Even when they are able to deliver sandbags, it may not be enough to make a difference.

From the Emergency Planning with Fife Council FAQ:

Q.  Will the council provide me with sandbags in the event of flooding?

The council encourages householders to be prepared for flooding if they are in known flood area. However, flash flooding is happening more often and all homeowners should be making arrangements to look after their own properties and families. There are companies such as builder’s merchants who can provide you with flood defence products.

In emergencies, the council will provide a range of support measures for the Emergency Services including, where possible, the provision of sandbags.

Sandbags may not keep out all flood water! They will also degrade within 3 – 6 months when exposed to sunlight hence they cannot be used as a permanent flood prevention barrier without additional measures and regular inspection. Disposal of used sandbags is also an environmental pollution issue that necessitates removal to a specially licensed landfill site.

Freuchie property known to be at risk of flooding must be protected by the owner. Other residents who fear for their property may also like to consider assessing the risk and steps necessary to protect their property.

Paul Hendy of the Scottish Flood Forum comments:

My continued stance is each home owner has responsibility to protect their property and this is not necessarily the responsibility of the respective Council.

The homes on the south of the village must be considered as an at risk area following the flooding of Albany Crescent flood last Sunday. Residents in streets downhill of Albany Crescent should think about how future flooding may affect them. Dedicated flood protection products should be installed or deployed if residents wish to stand the best chance of keeping flood water out of their property.

Technorati Tags: Albany Crescent, Fife, Fife Council, flood, flooding, flood prevention, Freuchie, sandbags

With a great deal of effort and more than a little luck Freuchie survived the very heavy rainfall that fell on the East of Scotland on Sunday. The small flood improvement measures we have already made since the 2008 floods, the help of many people from the community to manage flood water, the early assistance of Fife Council and the heroic efforts of Fife Fire & Rescue Service all added up to saving our village from a repeat of the devastating 2008 floods.

Freuchie Flood Action Group is aware of many areas that were being monitored and at least two location where active flood protection and prevention works were being carried out. We would have liked to have been out and about doing more observations but our time was consumed fighting back the flood waters in areas known to be at high risk.

Let’s take a whirlwind tour of these area and highlight the key points.

ALBANY CRESCENT
The run-off from the fields to the south of Albany Crescent was putting the homes in this part of the village at risk of flooding. Only the prompt action of local residents who dug appropriate drainage channels, and then travelled to Cupar to collect and deploy sandbags, ensured that properties – many of them occupied by elderly and vulnerable individuals – survived unscathed despite the 18 inch-deep water in the streets.

Patrick Laughlin, Chairman of Freuchie Community Council, was amongst those helping at this location, and was also out and about during the afternoon observing the nature and sequence of flooding throughout the village. He said afterwards that the day’s events had served to highlight that flooding was an issue which now threatened to affect almost every part of Freuchie. At Albany Crescent, the impromptu dams which were built to divert water away from the most-threatened properties were effective and necessary, but had the side effect of directing the waters down other streets previously felt to be risk-free.

Please contact us if you have photographs of the flood waters in this area of the village.

FREUCHIE DEN
No reports as yet of property flooding up Freuchie Den. Work was carried out last year to reduce the risk of flooding and it would appear to have been successful. 

 
Photos: Farm road to Freuchie Den and bridge downstream 

The information and photographs clearly show an area that still requires further flood prevention work to lessen the existing flood risk.

GREEN TREE BRAE
Alarmingly high water levels were observed further downstream on Freuchie Burn. A usually babbling brook type flow had turned into a torrent that was engulfing land adjacent to the burn banks. Flood alarms installed by residents were activated warning of a danger of flooding.

  Photos: Freuchie Burn at Green Tree Brae

The burn rose to such a height that it would have been flowing over the walkway of the old bridge, had it still be there, putting the homes at the bottom of Green Tree Brae at high risk of flooding. Thankfully the unsafe bridge was removed earlier this year and the gap in the wall bricked up as a flood prevention measure.

FREUCHIE MILL
Last and certainly not least! Freuchie Mill would likely have flooded to property damaging levels if we had seen another hour of rain.  The culvert would have been overtopped by the Millwaters Burn if the rain had not gone off when it did. At its height the burn water was starting to lap onto the top of the gabion baskets. Unfortunately we were too busy fighting the flood to take photographs at that moment!

 
Photos: Freuchie Mill culvert inlet end one hour before peak flows and the diversion pipe that was reinstated

Thankfully our request for the diversion pipe to be used, Fife Council’s work to inspect the pipe along its length and Kingdom Housing’s restoration work have proven to be a life saver on this occasion. The diversion pipe was operating at full bore and really made all the difference during this weather event.

 
Photos: Freuchie Mill culvert outlet one hour before peak flow and during the peak when flooding was starting to occur

On this occasion, the greatest flow of flood water into Freuchie Mill came down from the Chicken Farm and then cascaded down Freuchie Mill Road, joining in with the flood waters already coming down the road. The drainage, or should that be lack of drainage, requires immediate action along with the correction of the incorrect road camber that brings nearly all the run off water down into Freuchie Mill. The flooding on the road resulted in a car parked in one of the Freuchie Mill Road cottages being written off.

Photos: Flooding begins with run off from Freuchie Mill Road 

Fife Fire & Rescue Service arrived at a timely moment to help with the flood protection work. We requested they deploy a pressurised fire hose across Freuchie Mill Road as a damming measure to stem the flow of flood waters. Pumping out operations began swiftly thereafter to keep the water to a very minimal level.

 
Photos: Fife Fire & Rescue Service arrives onsite 

It quickly became apparent the fire hose wouldn’t be enough by itself thus a frantic search began to find materials to dam off the road. A source of rocks and bricks was found allowing the firemen, residents and Andy Walls of Kingdom Housing to start the construction of a two tier dam structure that took the majority of the flood waters down the side of the bridge and into the stream downstream of Freuchie Mill. A big thanks to all the residents from surrounding properties, most of whom weren’t under threat of flooding, but still came out in cold and wet condition to lend a hand – we couldn’t have done it without you. 

 
 
Photos: Dam construction on Freuchie Mill Road

Towards the end of the flood event a few of the private homes in Freuchie Mill started to see the flood waters rising. This was caused by the burn waters that come down through Freuchie Mill House and run underground around the back of the the west side private houses having no where to drain off to and therefore bursting through the back gardens. Most of these houses already had flood protection measures in place  to prevent the majority of the dirty flood water entering the underfloor void. Once again the firemen jumped into action and started to pump out the areas now being flooded. Unfortunately there was damage done by this phase of the flood: holes in gardens, subsidence of driveways and loss of property from garden sheds and bike storage units. The losses will run into hundreds of pounds to repair and replace the flood damaged items, but it could have been so much more!

Photos: Flood water starts to threaten houses in Freuchie Mill

Just as in previous flood events, Fife Fire & Rescue Service personnel were magnificent and we cannot thank them enough for their hard work, professionalism and skill in dealing with the flood waters. Only one fire appliance was required to keep the flood water level at a minimum, although it took additional personnel on the ground to win the day. The Fire Service prevented £500,000 of flood damage with the related loss of four social housing units and eight private homes for six months whilst recovery and restoration work took place.

Fife Council must also be thanked for dispatching sandbags out to us. The personnel manning the operation were working under enormous pressure and unbelievable demands.

The small flood protection measures already taken substantially improved our chances of surviving extreme weather. There are other small measures that can now be taken to make further improvements without substantial capital spend. We will be working to implement these as quickly as possible.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Climatologists and other weather professionals are predicting extreme weather events will be more frequent and intense over the coming years. Every near miss allows us to better understand the flood sequence and the flood protection improvements required to prevent future property damage and threat to life.

Please let us know if you have any photographs of flooding in Freuchie. Likewise get in touch if you know of any area of Freuchie under risk during this event that we aren’t yet aware about. The information we glean from every report and photograph improves our knowledge immensely.

Photos are courtesy of Ross Robertson, Ian Porter and John Thomson.

Technorati Tags: Albany Crescent, climatologists, East of Scotland, Fife, Fife Council, Fife Fire & Rescue Service, flood, flooding, Freuchie, Freuchie Community Council, Freuchie Den, Freuchie Mill, Green Tree Brae, Scotland

The Met Office has issued a “Severe or Extreme Weather Advisory” that includes Fife.

Wednesday:

There is a moderate risk of a severe weather event affecting parts of east Scotland during Wednesday. Outbreaks of heavy rain may give 40 mm on low ground and 60 to 75 mm over high ground during the day.

Thursday:

There is a moderate risk of a severe weather event affecting parts of east Scotland during Thursday. Outbreaks of heavy rain may give an additional 15 to 25 mm over high ground during the morning with overall totals through Wednesday and Thursday of 80 to 100 mm.

We’re certainly in very dangerous territory if those rainfall estimates fall on and around Freuchie. Flooding on a scale seen last year may even be a possibility. 

It is time to ensure your flood protection measures are ready for action.

Technorati Tags: Fife, flooding, Freuchie, Met Office

The Courier has a front page article on the flooding that affected so many parts of Scotland yesterday. It was particularly sad to see homes being flooded again with not even a year having past since they last got flooded.

The Scottish Sun also has a shorter write up that highlights the problem being made much worse by passing buses. Questions must be asked why buses were allowed to continue through the flood waters! Hopefully lessons will be learned and action applied to prevent problems being exasperated by large vehicles making the problem worse.

An interesting video and more photos are featured in this week’s Fife Herald as they cover the flooding. Find the article, photos and videos here.

Finally, the Scotsman also has a bit of a write-up on the flooding here. 

Technorati Tags: Courier, Cupar, Fife, Fife Herald,   flooding, Scotsman, Scottish Sun

Today’s flooding at Cupar and surrounding areas has been due to blocked trash screens on water courses and the sheer volume of water falling from the sky overwhelming the urban drainage system.

The BBC website is also reporting parts of Perth and Kinross have also been affected by flooding. The news article is here. Milnathort, which has been badly flooded in the past, has once again suffered as the urban drainage system was completely overwhelmed.

Thankfully we have been spared the extremely heavy rainfall that is causing such devastation elsewhere in Scotland today. The story in Freuchie could have been so different if we had seen the same volumes of rainfall! Praise goes to Fife Council who have been around today to check the culvert at Freuchie Mill was clear of obstructions.

Our thoughts do go out to those less fortunate this time around. 

Technorati Tags: Cupar, Fife, Fife Council, flooding, Freuchie, Kinross, Milnathort, Perth

SEPA has issued a Flood Watch for Fife and Clackmannanshire:

This statement was prepared on 06 July 2009 at 9:28 am.

A FLOOD WATCH has been issued for Fife and Clackmannanshire rivers.

Heavy, thunder showers are expected throughout the day. Whilst this is unlikely to have a significant impact on major rivers, short duration and high intensity rainfall may cause flooding on small watercourses, roads and urbanised areas.

This FLOOD WATCH is now in force until further notice.

Please continue to keep an eye on the situation in your area and listen to local radio and television for further information

More alarming is reports are coming in of areas being flooded in Fife.

Technorati Tags: Clackmannanshire, Fife, flood, flooding, Flood Watch, SEPA

SEPA has issued a Flood Watch for Fife and Clackmannanshire:

This statement was prepared on 03 July 2009 at 6:58 pm.

A FLOOD WATCH has been issued for Fife and Clackmannanshire rivers.

Heavy and thundery rainfall is expected over the next 12 hours which may result in localised flooding problems in this area.

This FLOOD WATCH is now in force until further notice.

Please continue to keep an eye on the situation in your area and listen to local radio and television for further information

Technorati Tags: Clackmannanshire, Fife, flood, flooding, Flood Watch, SEPA

SEPA has issued a Flood Watch for Fife and Clackmannanshire:

This statement was prepared on 01 July 2009 at 8:38 am.

A FLOOD WATCH has been issued for Fife and Clackmannanshire rivers.

Heavy, possibly thundery showers are expected today with occasional torrential downpours. Flash flooding may occur and surface water on roads will make driving hazardous.

This FLOOD WATCH is now in force until further notice.

Please continue to keep an eye on the situation in your area and listen to local radio and television for further information.

Technorati Tags: Clackmannanshire, Fife, flood, flooding, Flood Watch, SEPA