PEOPLE in Darwen can get special advice today on how to avoid a flood as the winter months approach.

With autumn about to leave us and winter about to take its steely cool grip, residents are urged to take extra precautions over flooding.

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With heavy rains and winds expected for the North West, the risk of flood will possibly increase and there are many steps residents can take to ensure their property and themselves are safe-guarded against possible severe weather.

The Council’s Flood Watch scheme, which is backed by Defra, offers tips and tricks to help residents prepare for and guard against flood risk.

Advice includes preparing a flood action plan, having emergency contact numbers to hand, storing valuables that cannot be replaced upstairs, storing important documents in waterproof wallets and checking nearby gullies to make sure they are clear from leaves and litter so water can drain quickly.

For information and a personalised chat with a flood watch officer, an advice stand will be located in Darwen Market Hall today.

Residents can also sign up to the Environment Agency’s flood warnings while receiving help to prepare personalised flood plans if homes are flooded.

Over the past year, hundreds of residents and dozens of businesses have signed up to the Flood Watch scheme and have already put flood action plans in place.