The Environment Agency has launched a two week national flood action campaign which will run until 16 November entitled ‘Floods destroy – be prepared’.

Residents and local businesses are being encouraged to take a series of simple steps to protect themselves, their families and homes.

Last winter was the wettest for nearly 250 years and around 6,000 properties flooded across the country. Among the worst hit was Somerset, where, in some areas, people were evacuated from their homes and whole communities suffered major flood damage and disruption.

The Agency said yesterday it had completed its 7 month dredging work in Somerset where around 130,000 cubic metres of silt was removed from two rivers. The work will help reduce the likelihood and duration of flooding to properties on Curry Moor and North Moor, on the A361 and the West Coast mainline.

Launching the campaign, the Environment Agency said that one in 6 properties in England is at risk of flooding, a figure which is only going to increase with climate change.

The Agency added that while many people think flooding will never happen to them, it could - now is the time for families to check whether they are at risk and make sure they are prepared.

The three most important steps residents are being urged to take are:

• use the Environment Agency’s maps to find out if you are at risk of flooding
• sign up for free flood warnings in your area.
• prepare a personal flood plan

The advice also points out that alternatively, residents can obtain help and advice by calling Floodline 0345 988 1188 or 0845 988 1188 or go online to find out more about how to prepare for a flood through Facebook, Twitter #floodaware or YouTube.

In Devon and Cornwall the Agency has made some significant improvements to its flood warning service. More than 2,500 families and businesses along the north and south coasts of Cornwall will now receive more targeted tidal flood warnings and fewer false alarms thanks to an increase in the number of flood alerts and flood warning areas.

A further 4,000 customers and professional partners will receive more accurate and timely river flood warnings thanks to improved monitoring and forecasting in 11 areas across Devon and Cornwall including the River Lemon at Newton Abbot, the Rivers Exe and Culm at Stoke Canon, the River Otter catchment, River Cober at Helston and River Fowey from Trekievesteps to Lostwithiel.

For the first time, The Isles of Scilly will receive a flood warning service. The local community will receive Environment Agency warnings through the Islands’ emergency responder’s forum via social media.