THE Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is calling on locals to get flood-prepared by signing up to the new flood warning scheme for the River Garnock.

More than 1,600 homes and businesses at risk of flooding will directly benefit from the introduction of the new flood warning scheme which is based on real-time flood forecasting models and will provide advance warning when flooding is predicted.

SEPA is distributing information on the new flood warning scheme to homes and businesses in the area to help them find out more about how signing up to receive advance warning of flooding could help them be flood-prepared.

Richard Brown, SEPA’s Head of Hydrology, said: “As many residents and businesses in North Ayrshire know, flooding is a real threat.

“We are sending out useful information to locals on the new flood warning scheme for the River Garnock and we hope that as many people as possible who live and work in, or travel through, the area will sign up.

“Our Floodline customers will receive free advance notification when flooding is predicted, providing crucial time to prepare and protect themselves, and their properties, against the disruption and damage which flooding can cause.”

Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said: “The Scottish Government is committed to working with partners to reduce flood risk across Scotland and has committed £420 million over the next 10 years to protect homes in many of our most flood-prone areas, including in North Ayrshire.

“I would urge people to prepare for flooding by monitoring SEPA’s Floodline website for the latest flood information and signing up to get Floodline warnings direct to their mobile phone.”

Through the Floodline service SEPA currently provides advance flood warnings for over 280 areas across Scotland, and people can sign up to receive free notifications at www.sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup or by calling 0345 988 1188 or 0845 988 1188.