NEWS RELEASE: 25 October 2013, 1515 hours
In case of severe weather: gales or high winds
HORSHAM District Council continues to be ready to respond if the Horsham District experiences heavy winds or gales, after the Met Office recently issued an Amber Warning.
The Council’s Severe Weather Plan for gales and high winds, as well as other extreme weather conditions, is ready to be put into place if needed.
The Met Office recently issued an Amber Warning for London and the South East of England for high winds (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/#?tab=warnings&map=Warnings&zoom=5&lon=-3.50&lat=55.50&fcTime=1382918400®ionName=se).
The Council’s website (www.horsham.gov.uk)and Horsham District Council facebook page will also be regularly updated with information for the public in the event of severe weather.
During severe weather, Horsham District Council’s main responsibilities include:
· Finding housing for anyone in housing need
· Household refuse and recycling collections
· Ensuring the safety of buildings and structures
· Clearing of snow, ice or debris in priority public areas owned by the District Council
· Assistance to other agencies
· Maintaining Horsham District Council’s services
In the event of a major gale, considerable damage to trees can be expected.
Horsham District Council operates an Emergency Plan for strong wind and severe gales for use in such exceptional circumstances.
In the light of the recent warnings issued by the Meteorological Office, the following advice is provided to assist with those whoexperience tree loss or associated damage:
· Trees on residents’ own land remain their own responsibility. Most trees are not subject to legal restrictions and hence these can be dealt with without contacting the Council.
· Trees on verges and those adjoining the highway are the responsibility of West Sussex County Council, which should be contacted on 01903 642105.
· Horsham District Council has an emergency strategy in place for dealing with its own tree stock. Should anyone find an issue with a tree on land owned by Horsham District Council, please contact the Council’s Leisure Services team on 01403 215291.
· Trees within Conservation Areas, and those subject to Tree Preservation Orders, cannot be removed or lopped without Horsham District Council's consent, and in such cases residents should therefore contact the Council's emergency tree line on 01403 215515 prior to carrying out any remedial works. Please be aware that the removal of protected trees without the necessary authorisation, even following a major storm event, may represent an offence.
Warning about cutting or moving fallen trees
· In all cases, great care is needed by anyone attempting to cut or move branches or split tree trunks as this can be potentially very dangerous. The main issue is that some fallen trees and branches could be under extreme pressure and when someone cuts pieces off this pressure can be exerted through the branch snapping back, resulting in potential injury or death to the person working on the tree. Residents are advised to always seek professional advice and don’t attempt the work themselves.
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· For more information also see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at the end of this news release
In severe weather conditions, Horsham District Council will also make a decision about sending out refuse and recycling collection crews each morning. Crews will not be sent out if the conditions are considered to be hazardous to the waste operatives or members of the public.
In many cases of severe weather, Horsham District Council staff are redeployed from their usual office and other duties to help out.
Updates about Horsham District Council’s services during severe weather will be placed on the homepage of the Council's website www.horsham.gov.uk and on Horsham District Council’s facebook page as soon as information is available.
Flooding
Anyone with water coming into their property should dial 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service.
· Report flooding – where a person is not in immediate danger, contact the Environmental Incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 (freephone*, 24 hour service)
· Contact the Environment Agency - phone 0800 80 70 60 (freephone*, 24 hour service)
*calls from mobile phones are not free and will be charges at normal network operator’s calls rates.
The Environment Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk)provides up to date information about current floods and information about the current levels of rivers and the sea and historical information to assess the current situation.
Please note that Horsham District Council does not supply or provide sandbags to residents. Anybody interested in acquiring sandbags should contact their local builders merchant.
Further information about severe weather planning is available by emailing calling Horsham District Council on 01403 215125.
Ends
Note to editors
Storm damaged trees FAQs
I have a number of trees that have been damaged by gales. What should I do?
Broken branches, and those which may be hanging in the tree, should be treated as a priority. Where major branches have been lost further tree surgery works may be required to visually rebalance the tree.
The loss of branches from a tree is not necessarily indicative that the whole tree has become dangerous. Trees will often shed branches as a defense mechanism against being blown over, or losing larger branches.
What can I do about clearing storm damaged trees in my garden?
Do not be tempted to use a chainsaw to fell or cut up damaged trees unless you are experienced and have the appropriate protective clothing. Every year approximately 500 people are seriously injured using chainsaws in their gardens.
Even cutting up fallen branches with a chainsaw is hazardous and members of the public are advised to use qualified tree surgeons in all cases.
Before employing a tree surgeon, you should check that they are insured for both public and employee liability insurance. Details of tree contractors and consultants operating throughout the UK are available from the Arboricultural Association.
There are trees near my house that are swaying alarmingly in the wind. Are they unsafe?
Swaying is generally normal but after extreme winds you should inspect your trees looking for any signs of storm damage. Coniferous trees tend to move in the wind more than deciduous trees, and it does not necessary mean a tree is going to fall.
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Do not be tempted to try and fell a tree in high winds as this can be very hazardous.
My tree appears to be leaning. Does this mean it is unsafe?
Trees lean for many reasons, some develop leans as a natural growth response to competition from other trees. If the top portion of a leaning tree sweeps back to the vertical it is unlikely the lean has recently developed. However, if the whole symmetry of the tree is at an unnatural angle the tree may have been moved by gales. If you have any doubt whether a tree has been moved by gales, you should seek specialist advice.
Even if a tree appears not to have moved you may wish to inspect the immediate base of the tree. If there are cracks in the soil radiating away from the base of the trunk, the tree will require a more thorough inspection by a competent arborist.
The Arboricultural Association hold lists of local tree contractors and consultants as a service to the public and endeavors to include details of those who provide a high quality service. Further details of tree contractors and consultants operating throughout the UK are available from the Arboricultural Association.
A tree in my garden has been damaged by storms and is now leaning over a road. What should I do?
The responsibility for the safety of trees rests with the owner of the land on which the trees are situated. If you discover a tree which is dangerous immediate action should be undertaken, by a professional to make it safe (there is an additional responsibility to inform the Council if a damaged tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or within a Conservation Area).
Trees that are in poor condition are more likely to be affected by storms, so it is a good idea to have large trees inspected every few years by a qualified arborist.
Further details of tree contractors and consultants operating throughout the West Sussex are available from the Arboricultural Association.
My tree is protected by Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and has been damaged by storm winds. What should I do?
If a tree that is protected by Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or a Conservation Area suffers storm damage, you may carry out what ever work is necessary to make it safe without delay. The work must be the minimum required to make the tree safe and any additional work will require an application to the Council. You must inform the Council at the first opportunity if you have carried out work on a damaged protected tree, or if a protected tree has been blown down in your garden. You a may be required to replace a protected tree that has been blown down or felled.
It is important to remember it is your responsibility, if challenged, to be able to prove that any work you have carried out on a protected tree was essential to make the tree safe. Therefore, it is a good idea to make a photographic record of storm damage to protected trees prior to felling or removing them.
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CONTACT: Sophie Eager, Communications Officer Email:
( (01403) 215571 Fax: (01403) 262985
Richard Morris, Communications Manager Email:
( (01403) 215549 Fax: (01403) 262985