HAMPSHIRE homeowners living in the flood plain have been urged to sign up to a early warning system that could save their life.
About 55,000 properties in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are at risk of flooding from the sea and rivers, but many have not joined the voluntary service.
The Environment Agency has relaunched its Floodline Warnings Direct service that automatically alerts people by text message, phone, e-mail or fax of possible flooding.
The county's 13 coastal flood warning areas have been changed to 22 smaller community-based areas that will use tidal forecasts to provide information that is specific for each area along the coast.
It is hoped this will reduce the number of false alarms as the warnings will be better targeted at those who are likely to flood.
Those already signed up to the service will continue to receive flood warnings and will only have to note the new name and Floodline quickdial number of the flood warning area they live in when contacted by the Environment Agency.
People can find out if they are at risk from flooding by visiting the www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline or calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
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