Comrie Community Council was recently given an update to August’s flooding and is working to create a village-wide action plan.
The group met with representatives from Tayside Fire and Rescue, SEPA, Perth and Kinross Council, the Scottish Flood Forum and the Tayside Strategic Coordinating Group to get feedback on the work being done to ensure that residents are more prepared should another incident happen, and to hear what is being done to mitigate the flooding.
The TSCG explained an action plan was being developed to address lessons learned and includes a comprehensive multi-agency response to incidents.
The community council was also given help to develop a local emergency plan that residents can implement.
CC chairman Andrew Finlayson said: “The community council is currently working this up and hope to present a working draft to the community on an open day scheduled for the Comrie Community Centre on Thursday, November 8, from 3-7pm.
“We will be calling for volunteers to get involved in the community’s own Flood Resilience Group as a sub committee to the community council which hopes to harness various skills and resources needed for future events.”
Andrew explained that among the volunteers, the community council is looking for people to act as flood wardens in at-risk areas of the village.
People who have experience or equipment for radio communication in case of power outages, people with interest or experience of local weather forecasting who can help improve flood warning systems in the village, people with tractors or 4x4s which could be used in emergencies, people who can keep and maintain lists of residents who would be vulnerable if flooding happened, and general helpers.
Andrew added: “We expect the flood resilience group to comprise around 12 folks with best experience forming a committee but with a host of others pencilled in as helpers.
“Perth and Kinross Council have agreed to assist in advising and training of any Flood Resilience Group and we look forward to moving swiftly forward in establishing strategies, at a local level, that can help us be much more effective in dealing with any future flood and its aftermath.”
Speaking after the meeting, Rab Middlemiss of Tayside Fire and Rescue said: “A number of continuing actions were identified and I have committed to regularly updating the community council members on the progress made on the points within the multi-agency action plan.”
