I have signed up to receive flood warnings for South Swindon from the Environment Agency’s Floodline Warnings Direct service. This is a free service that provides flood warnings direct to me by telephone, mobile, email, SMS text message and fax. As soon as I get a message warning me about flooding in Swindon I will put it on my website so that people can be better prepared.

To find out if you are at risk from flooding visit the website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood or call Floodline on 0845 9881188. If you are at risk from flooding, find out if the free 24 hours Floodline Warnings Direct service is available in your area. You can receive warnings by phone, text, email, fax or pager.

The Environment Agency has put together a checklist for people to be better prepared for flooding:

• Check your insurance cover - know who to contact and how.
• Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
• Prepare a flood kit of essential items, such as copies of insurance documents, a torch, a first aid kit and prescription medication, and warm, waterproof clothing and blankets.
• Think about what you can move now to safety, such as photo albums, family videos and sentimental items.
• Think about what you would move to safety during a flood, such as pets, carts, furniture and electrical equipment.
• Keep tuned in to weather and news bulletins.
• Call Floodline during a flood for the most up to date local information on 0845 988 1188.