The Environment Agency uses a number of methods to alert householders. Floodline Warnings Direct alerts householders via an automated message system using phone, mobile, and pagers to send voice messages, faxes and SMS (Short Message Service). Sirens, loudhailers and media broadcasts are also used.
In addition, police officers and other officials have provided ‘door to door’ information to significant numbers of people throughout the period of flooding in a heroic and successful exercise. These warnings have been undertaken as a result of the civil resilience planning under the auspices of the 2004 Civil Contingencies Act, which requires all Category 1 responders to maintain arrangements to warn the public, and to provide information and advice to the public, if an emergency is likely to occur or has occurred.