Written question WQ97997
- Asked by
- Adam PricePlaid
- To be answered by
- Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to a central, multi-agency severe weather warning system for Wales similar to the one issued by the UKHSA for areas in England?
Answer
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
The Met Office's National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) covers the whole of the UK. Through this service the Met Office issues formal and informal warnings based on the likely impact of the weather rather than a threshold of the weather itself. During severe weather incidents, Natural Resources Wales issues flood warnings and safety advice through its Flood Warning Information Service. In the most serious, life-threatening situations, the UK Government Emergency Alert system may be activated, sending emergency messages directly to mobile phones in affected areas. Welsh Government officials work with emergency responders to assess and support the use of these warning systems, including by bringing together communication leads as part of the Wales Warning & Informing Network. Public Health Wales considers whether any messaging may be needed on the health impacts of extreme weather in addition to the information already provided to the public through the aforementioned systems.