Flood warning sirens in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd will be sounded next week as part of the Environment Agency's annual maintenance tests.

The Environment Agency uses the sirens to get a message out quickly to the Upper Calderdale communities if it is expecting the rivers to flood. There are now eight sirens in the area and these need to be tested on an annual basis. Each siren, which sounds like an air raid siren, has an audibility level of 139dB at 1m.

On Thursday, 7 June, sirens will be tested at:

• 12:30 – at Hebden Bridge;
• 2pm – at Mytholmroyd.

Each test will last for two minutes and residents and businesses in the towns do not need to take any action when hearing the sirens at these times. Loudhailer vehicles will be used to alert people to the test, ahead of the sirens being sounded.

Environment Agency Engagement Officer Graham Lindsey said: "It is important that we test these sirens to check that they are working properly and can be triggered remotely from our incident room in Leeds.

"Although no action needs to be taken during the test, please remember that if you hear the sirens at any other time then they are a warning of a flood.

"Make sure you know what to do if you heard them for real - flood water is dangerous, particularly in these areas where the steep hills means the water moves quickly and flooding happens fast. Have a flood plan to keep you and your family safe."

The Upper Calder Valley sirens have been installed to complement the Environment Agency's free Floodline Warnings Direct service, which sends an automatic message by landline, mobile telephone, email or fax to those who have signed up, telling them when flooding is imminent and what action to take to protect their home or business.

Environment Agency officers will be speaking to residents on the day to check they could hear the sirens and know what they are used for. Householders and businesses will be able to check whether they are eligible for Floodline Warnings Direct. If they are, they can sign up on the spot for the free service, as well as finding out more about preparing themselves for flooding.

To find out if your property is at risk of flooding and eligible for Floodline Warnings Direct, call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk