Otterburn Mill owner flooded three times in 12 months backs Environment Agency campaign

Otterburn Mill owner Euan Pringle is backing the Environment Agency’s campaign urging communities to be prepared for flooding during Flood Action Week.

“You have to prepare, prepare and prepare,” advises Euan, who has bounced back from each flooding incident with help from his 24-strong team and support from the local community.

“From a business perspective you always have to tackle something like flooding by practically looking at the situation, and to assess how you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

“As we can’t part the waters like Moses, we just have to approach the situation sensibly. For example, if you know that your property is susceptible to flooding then position your power sockets higher up your walls as this means you can operate recovery machinery that you may need to power after being flooded.

"Also use the knowledge of how the building floods to enable you to make the appropriate adjustments that means you’ll experience minimal disruption.

“If you are offered or have access to a flood gate then use this to help protect your property as any way of stopping the water is essential. Water can be a formidable force and if it wants to breach your defences then you have to be ready to bounce back. This means knowing what to do once you get flooded and having a plan in place for all possible eventualities.”

The Environment Agency campaign – called Prepare. Act. Survive. – is aimed at providing essential advice about what people should do if they live in an area at risk of flooding.

Leila Huntington, Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager in the North East, said: “Flooding is one of the worst circumstances that many people will experience during their lifetime. Being flooded not only impacts on homes, livelihoods and day-to-day lives but the impacts can have a long lasting effect on people’s overall mental health and wellbeing.

“Flood Action Week is a vital way for the Environment Agency to shine a spotlight upon the issue of flooding, and to highlight the important ways residents, business owners and communities can prepare for severe weather conditions that can be caused by seasonality or the effects of climate change.”

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