A campaign to improve awareness of flooding and flood resilience to the 7,600 most vulnerable homes and businesses in Cornwall has been launched.

The Cornwall Community Flood Forum campaign has begun with a free booklet and emergency action card sent to every property in Cornwall located within the zones assessed by the Environment Agency to carry an annual likelihood of flooding in excess of one per cent.

The booklet contains helpful advice on how to protect your property, how to stay safe and who to contact in a range of flood related incidents.

Chairman Roy Taylor said: “Cornwall’s Community Flood Forum is achieving national recognition for the pioneering way in which it brings together individuals, communities, Town and Parish Councils and statutory organisations with the primary focus of improving flood resilience. We are delighted to have been chosen by DEFRA as one of 13 counties in England to deliver a Pathfinder Project”.

Community flood resilience manager Martyn Alvey said: “Our research has shown that many individuals don’t realise their home or business is vulnerable to the risk of flooding before it’s too late. Also, many of those who know they are at risk are unaware of where to get further information, advice, or who to call if they are being flooded. This essential guide provides vital facts about flooding and where they can find more detailed information should they require it”.

If you believe your property is at risk of flooding, and you haven’t received a booklet, please contact the community flood resilience manager: Martyn Alvey on 01872 326796 or visit www.cornwallcommunityfloodforum.org.uk, where you can download a copy.

The forum has successfully teamed up with Cornwall Council to attract considerable funding to develop projects that help communities, homes and businesses become more resilient to the effects of potential or actual flooding.

Cornwall has been awarded £238,000 from DEFRA's Flood Resilience Community Pathfinder scheme to increase community resilience by building on projects already funded through the flood recovery process. The funding allocated to Cornwall will be used to deliver a range of projects throughout 2014 to help communities prepare for potential flooding.