Shutting the stable door – responding to flood risk

On the 6^th June 2012, the anniversary of D Day, Operation Neptune came to Lincolnshire.

A freak surge of the Black Sluice Dyke swept away the bridge and swamped property in rural Aswarby, near Osbournby.

Then, last December, 700 houses in Boston were flooded.

Based on historic costs, the bill for restoration for the 80% who were insured was over £18 million.

Some people are still in rented or hotel accommodation.  These traumatic and expensive episodes are (with global warming) becoming a common occurrence.  Have we recognised the risks and planned accordingly?

16% of UK households (according to the Environment Agency) are in flood risk areas; the figure for Lincolnshire is 29% and for the most deprived (our database of fuel poverty beneficiaries) 45%!

But throwing money at flood victims after the event is not enough.  We need to promote “resistance and resilience” in order to mitigate flood effects and reduce their scale and expense.

The Lincolnshire Community Foundation report on Flood Risk, Impact & Response (T Latham-Green, August 2014) proposes:

• distribution of flood packs including intelligent air bricks, non-return valves and flood-proof doors;
• rapid response to flash floods, delivering pumps within 12 hours;
• better planning and building regulations (taking account of food risk);
• a “resistance and resilience” approach, sponsored and rewarded by the insurers.

Flood Report available from Tracey Latham-Green:  lcf.flood@gmail.com