Flood emergency kits distributed to 35 communities across Great Ouse area

Communities across Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire are being equipped with emergency flood kits and monitoring cameras as the Environment Agency warns of the risks posed by increasingly unpredictable weather.

Thirty-five communities across the Great Ouse catchment have developed local flood plans and received emergency equipment to help them respond when water levels rise.

The initiative comes after months of extreme weather, with prolonged dry conditions and drought in parts of southern England raising concerns about the possibility of heavy rainfall and flooding over the winter.

The Environment Agency describes these rapid changes between dry and wet conditions as 'weather whiplash' and is encouraging residents to prepare as part of its Flood Action Week campaign.

Among the communities to receive equipment are St Ives, Brampton, Buckden, Potton, Sandy, Biggleswade, Great Barford, Kempston, Northill and Riseley.

The emergency kits are tailored to individual communities but typically contain high-visibility jackets, submersible pumps, temporary flood barriers, warning signs, first aid supplies, two-way radios and torches.

The equipment is intended to support local volunteers and flood groups in responding to incidents and helping residents prepare for rising water levels.

Cameras allow residents to monitor rising water

Alongside the emergency kits, flood monitoring cameras are being installed at vulnerable locations across the Great Ouse catchment.

The cameras allow residents, the Environment Agency and other organisations to check conditions remotely, reducing the need for people to travel to potentially dangerous locations to assess water levels.

Nine cameras were already operational, with a tenth installed in Newport Pagnell last week.

Locations identified for flood monitoring cameras include St Ives, Alconbury, Alconbury Weston, Riseley, Harrold and Wistow.

Residents urged to prepare ahead of winter

The Environment Agency is encouraging households to check whether their properties are at risk of flooding and to consider what action they would take if a flood warning were issued.

Residents can check their flood risk, sign up for alerts and access practical advice through the Government's Flood Action website.