Kent Community Risk Register

High risks

These risks outlined on this page are classed as significant. They may have a high or low likelihood of occurrence, but their potential consequences are sufficiently serious to warrant appropriate consideration after those risks classed as ‘very high’. Consideration should be given to the development of strategies to reduce or eliminate the risks, but also mitigation in the form of at least (multi-agency) generic planning, exercising and training should be put in place and the risk monitored on a regular frequency.

Simultaneous loss of all fixed and mobile forms of communication

As a result of a hazard, such as a severe storm or flooding, all mobile and fixed line (landline & internet) connections are lost immediately. Most fixed-line connections may be offline for seven days due to a lack of power and damage to overhead cables.

All mobile connections may be disabled temporarily until mobile network operators deploy back-up generators providing limited 2G coverage.

Regional failure of the electricity network

A significant failure of the electricity network across the region leading to the loss of electricity power for up to 24 hours. A large number of people will have no power for 48 hours and some may have no power for up to two weeks. There will be cascading failures across utilities causing disruption to public services as well as domestic households and businesses.

Telecommunications systems are expected to be disrupted. Transport services will be disrupted (rail, road, and aviation) due to the failure of electronic systems.

If caused by storms, forecasting will allow government, industry, and local authorities to prepare.

Food supply contamination

A major contamination incident involving a microbiological pathogen in the food chain causing illness, hospitalisation, and possible fatalities in a moderate to large number of people. It will take a period of a few days to weeks to identify the contaminant and months for the response.

Natural hazards - severe weather

Severe weather encompasses events including high winds, extreme high temperatures, and heavy rain. These events can cause significant disruption as well as very serious health impacts.

The nature of the UK as an island, and Kent as a coastal region, mean that the weather can be very changeable and difficult to forecast.

Flooding - fluvial and surface water

Inland flooding can occur because of rivers overflowing their banks, groundwater becoming saturated, or surface water being unable to drain.

Consequences of flooding include:

Risk to life and health.
Damage to homes, businesses, communities, agricultural land, and infrastructure.
Evacuation of residents in short, medium, and long-term phases.
Disruption to utilities (electricity and water supply).
Pollution and contamination of the environment.
Impact on the local economy and businesses.

Localised, extremely hazardous, flash flooding

The assessment considers an incident in which rivers respond rapidly to rainfall and cause flooding. The Bourne and the Pent are examples of areas where flash flooding has occurred. The rivers are monitored constantly to alert residents of any potential for flooding, however due to the nature of the rainfall and rapid response it is possible that a flooding event could occur with no prior warning.

Outbreak of an emerging infectious disease

The scenario is based on a novel respiratory transmitted virus that emerges in another country and causes a regional epidemic in that country. The pathogen if previously unknown or not normally found within the UK, could result in an outbreak with an increased fatality rate.

Industrial action by workers providing critical services

This risk covers industrial action by emergency services personnel, social care staff, and NHS medical, nursing and healthcare professionals. However, it must be recognised that industrial action by ancillary staff in those sectors and in unrelated sectors such as education are likely to lead to difficulties in delivering the normal standard of service by statutory agencies.

Prolonged disruption to border control location(s)

This assessment focusses on prolonged disruption at a border control location within the UK and specifically to Kent. A border control location is identified as a site that processes inbound and outbound freight checks. i.e. Sevington.