A SPECIAL hotline is to be launched to give people up-to-the-minute flood warnings.
The line will go into operation when the Environment Agency becomes responsible for issuing flood warnings in East Lancashire from Monday.
Warnings will be issued for natural flooding from most major rivers and the sea although not from such things as an overflow on to roads from blocked drains.
The agency will use the latest technology to monitor rainfall, river levels, tides and sea conditions, 24 hours a day.
It will issue flood warnings in three ways - the hot-line, direct warnings and through the media.
In some areas, arrangements are being made to issue warnings directly to those at risk using telephone automatic voice messaging, flood wardens and public address systems.
An estimated 8,000 homes are at risk of serious flooding in the North West.
The information line is on 0645 881188.
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