Responsibility for salting and gritting roads and pavements rests with West Sussex County Council (WSCC) Highways

West Sussex County Council treats 1,000 miles of the county’s roads as part of their precautionary salting network.

WSCC does not undertake any of the following

• Hand treat pavements
• Treat private, third party or non-highway land

Active Communities and Rural Team, West Sussex County Council.

Tel.  01243 642105

Email: [email protected]

Southbourne Parish Council is unable to undertake snow/ice clearance as does not employ any maintenance staff. However, it liaises between residents and WSCC when weather conditions are adverse.

Warnings issued by Met Office in conjunction with the WSCC Partnership and Communities Team and other agencies

WSCC

Dealing with extreme weather

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/heat-alert/

Preparing for emergencies

Met Office

Heat-health watch

NHS Choices

Heatwave: be prepared

UK Health Security Agency

Heatwave Plan For England and Guidance Documents o.

The Met Office provides a good range of advice for staying safe in a storm

Met Office

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/your-home/stay-safe-in-a-storm

Highways

Residents and Parishes can find out the latest information on any road closures due to the severe weather by following @WSHighways X account (formerly Twitter). County Councillors are usually contacted by WSCC directly about any specific issues in their areas which they will forward on to Parishes. Specific pages are set up for information and guidance on the WSCC website:

• Severe weather update – West Sussex County Council

Schools

Some schools may take the decision to close as a result of the severe weather. Your child’s school should let you know if they are affected. We will update our webpage with information on closures as we receive details from schools.

• Find a school, academy or college – West Sussex County Council

• Serious flooding emergency: dial 999
• Flooding from rivers or sea: contact the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60
• Sewage flooding: call Southern Water on 0330 303 0368
• Urgent problems with trees on main roads: report the problem online https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/make-an-enquiry-or-report-a-problem-with-a-road-or-pavement/trees-hedges-weeds-and-grass/  
• Flooding of WSCC highways, roads or surface water flooding: report online at https://westsussex-self.achieveservice.com/service/Report_a_drainage_problem 
• Alternatively for major flooding issues or large trees down call the WSCC contact centre on 01243 642105
• To report flooding from rivers or sea contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 0800 80 70 60
  

Portsmouth Water for water supply issues:

• 24 hour emergency help and support line: 023 9247 7999
• Water network supply and quality enquiries:023 9249 9888

Southern Water for sewage emergencies:

If there is a sewage emergency, please call 0330 303 0368

• www.southernwater.co.uk/help-advice/what-to-do-in-an-emergency
• www.southernwater.co.uk/help-advice/works-or-issues-in-my-area

Local electricity supplier SSEN monitors local weather systems when high winds and rain can affect power networks. In emergencies they activate a well-rehearsed contingency plan, bringing in additional teams to deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults which may impact resident power supplies.

The additional teams, aided by colleagues from SSEN’s north of Scotland distribution area and contractor partners, respond to faults and carry out repairs quickly and safely. Teams answering queries over the phone are also strengthened and SSEN calls its most vulnerable customers to offer them help and advice.

Customers who are on their Priority Service Register are usually contacted ahead of any serious storm. SSEN also organises welfare provisions to be put in place for affected areas

Customers are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies by:

• Saving the emergency power cut number 105 to report loss of supply or damage to electricity network
• Visiting the SSEN Power Track Website with details of power cuts and restoration times.
• You can also report power cuts and network damage through the SSSEN Power Track app
• Going to the SSEN website for advice and information on how to deal with a power cut, or to chat live to an SSEN advisors via the online Webchat service

Customers are eligible for SSEN’s Priority Services Register (PSR) if they:

• Are deaf or hard of hearing
• Have a disability
• Live with children under five
• Are blind or partially sighted
• Have a chronic illness

• Avoid unnecessary travel as roads may be flooded or blocked by trees and branches
• Prepare your home for emergencies including flooding, power cuts and wind damage
• Move your vehicles to high ground if possible and secure any house fittings or furniture
• Keep your computers, laptops and mobile phones charged in case of power cuts
• Have emergency contact details available for police, fire, utility providers and Councils

• Councils

Other actions residents can take in emergencies

• Stay up to date with the Met Office UK Weather Warnings
• Check for flood warnings and alerts in your local area or on the live flood map
• Read the flooding guidance on the WSCC website
• Listen to local news for the most current updates
• Advice from the AA on How to drive through floodwater and heavy rain
• Find additional updates relating to severe weather on the WSCC website

Look after your friends and neighbours as, whilst you are safe, they may not be