The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is holding a series of community flood forums for Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Bay, Tacoma and Wyongah residents to seek community feedback on March and July flooding which impacted the region.
Residents, businesses and organisations are invited to attend to help inform local and state government, particularly the SES, on how the community can be assisted in preparing for, responding to and recovering from floods.
Red Cross will hold some fun exercises to keep the young ones entertained during the forums.
The Berkeley Vale forum will be from 12pm to 2.30pm on Saturday, October 22 at Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre, with a barbecue beforehand at 11.30am.
A forum for Tacoma and Wyongah residents will also be on Saturday, October 22, between 3.30pm and 5.30pm at Wyongah Progress Association Hall, 159a Tuggerawong Rd.
The SES is the lead response agency for floods, storms and tsunami across NSW and has the responsibility to ensure that communities are adequately prepared to reduce the impact of flood events.
By raising awareness it can help local communities to understand and prepare for weather events that can lead to flooding.
This includes knowing where and how to receive up-to-date emergency and weather warnings, knowing when to act, understanding where to go if evacuation is required, preparing a “get ready to go kit” or stocking-up on supplies, learning about flood risk and developing a flood plan.
Community Action Teams aim to equip communities with resources, knowledge and practices required to develop their resilience to natural disasters, predominantly floods.
The Teams provide information during events and aim to develop community-led emergency plans in at-risk areas.
Sue Murray