FREE and impartial advice on flood mitigation will be on offer at an event in Weymouth this week.

In the winter of 2013 more than 50,000 homes, including 600 in the Weymouth area, went without power over the Christmas period as flooding affected much of the country.

The Flood Advisory Service, a-not-for-profit organisation set up to help communities throughout the UK facing the devastating effects of flooding, is warning this could happen once again this winter and is running an event in the town on Thursday to advise people on how to prepare for flooding.

Experts will be at Weymouth Pavilion from noon to 8pm for people to come and chat to at the roadshow event.

In recent years the Flood Advisory Service has become a single point of contact, help and independent advice for vulnerable communities and the general public that are affected by flooding.

Managing director Sarah Marriott said that flooding was of a particular concern for Dorset residents given both its recent history and events in the past.

She said: “You’ll no doubt already know that flooding happens throughout the year, not just in the colder months.

“The date of Tuesday, July 19, 1955 holds a particular significance for Dorset.

“On that day, in Martinstown, 11 inches (28cm) of rain was recorded – it was the most to fall in a period of 24 hours in the UK.

“And in July 2012 a month’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours, causing widespread flooding in Dorset.

“So it’s no wonder flood mitigation has become a hot topic for debate, not just here locally but on a national scale.

“Please come along to the roadshow trailer and get the information you need to help protect your property.

“Don’t be one of the people that thinks it will never happen to them. It happens and it’s incredibly upsetting when it does.

“Given the recent weather warnings and flood forecasts we do believe that thousands of homes could be at risk.”

The trailer at Weymouth Pavilion will be full of lots of free information with independent advice available from flood advisors who can inform members of the public who their registered qualified Flood Professionals are locally.

If you have been affected by flooding or have questions about flood defence and you are unable to attend the roadshow, you can visit floodadvisoryservice.co.uk and floodprofessionals.co.uk for more information.