Floods are the most common and destructive of all the natural disasters occurring world-wide and are set to increase in both frequency and magnitude in the coming years as global climate change continues.
In the UK alone, it is estimated that those at high risk of being affected by floods will increase from the current 1.5 million people to 3.5 million, with damages rising from the now £1.5 billion to £25 billion per year!
Are you prepared? Is your business prepared to cope? How can you reduce the dangers to life, property or your business? Can you afford not to be prepared?
On the night of 31 January 1953, the east coast of England suffered one of the worst floods in living memory and one of the biggest environmental disasters ever to have occurred in this country. Flood defences were breached by huge waves and coastal towns in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent were devastated as sea water rushed into the streets. Over 300 people lost their lives and over 24,000 houses were flooded. Around 40,000 people were evacuated from their homes. Many of these had to sit the freezing cold night out on their rooftops, awaiting rescue by fire brigades, the police, military personnel and the RNLI.
In the Summer 2007 floods in UK, approximately 49,000 households and nearly 7,000 businesses were flooded. 13 people lost their lives. Major infrastructure such as transport links, schools, power and water supplies were disrupted. Flooding was caused by drains, river channels and flood defences being overwhelmed by the extreme flows of water. This often happened very quickly and in these circumstances it is difficult to predict where flooding will occur. Many people who were flooded suffered trauma or lost irreplaceable personal belongings. Some were still living in temporary accommodation one year later!
Source - UK Environments Agency