What emergencies to plan for
High risks in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
The Community Risk Register describes emergencies that could affect you and your community. It explains the risks and helps you to prepare if a serious event occurs. The risk matrix explains in more detail how these risks were assessed.
Flooding
Hampshire is at risk from a range of flood types including coastal, fluvial and groundwater. Local authorities work together to try to prevent flooding from occurring.
Advice on flood prevention and preparation
Check with the Environment Agency to see if your property or business is at risk of flooding.
Extreme weather
Extreme weather is a likely emergency in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It can pose a danger to the health and lives of vulnerable people. It can cause disruption to power lines, communication networks and transport.
Advice on how to prepare for extreme weather
Pandemic flu
A flu pandemic could affect a great number of people in a short space of time.
For businesses, this could mean:
- large numbers of staff are absent through illness or having to care for relatives
- significant disruption to your supply chain and transport infrastructure
- an unpredictable impact on society as a whole
Electricity loss
A nationwide loss of electricity is an extreme scenario that has not occurred in the UK to date. While the risk is very unlikely, our reliance on electricity means that even localised outages can have a severe impact on those affected.
A nationwide loss of electricity would affect millions of consumers and critical services. The technical recovery process is called "Black Start". It could take up to five days to restore power if there is no damage. If significant damage is caused to the transmission lines, usually by severe weather, it could be weeks before some parts of the network are fully recovered and power is restored.
Industrial accident
Much has been done in the UK to prevent industrial accidents and minimise their effects, but they can still occur.
In most cases, an industrial accident will have a very limited impact beyond the immediate vicinity and can be dealt with locally. It is still possible for there to be more significant consequences.
Incidents include fires and explosions. The risk with the biggest potential impact would be a toxic release. The effects of a toxic release are similar to those of a large fire: evacuations and potential contamination.
Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Aldermaston
Hampshire County Council works with AWE plc, West Berkshire Council and other organisations to ensure we are prepared for an emergency from the AWE site in Aldermaston.
Guidance on what to do in the event of an emergency at AWE
Terrorism
The level of threat of terrorism ranges from an individual intent on carrying out a crude attack, to sophisticated networks pursuing ambitious and coordinated plots.
To help prevent terrorism, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the UK's free and confidential Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.
Risks to businesses
These are some of the specific challenges that can affect small and medium sized businesses:
- large scale temporary absence of staff
- permanent or long term loss of staff
- loss of access to your business premises or site
- loss of mains electricity
- loss of telephone or internet communications
- loss of mains water and sewerage
- disruption to transport
- disruption to fuel or oil supply