Opinion

Extreme rainfall events will happen - plan today for flash floods tomorrow

Sir Peter Luff

Ensuring that flood defence solutions are right for local communities is vital, says Sir Peter Luff MP.

The Met Office have now warned us that there could be five times the number of ‘extreme rainfall events’ which could cause severe flash floods in areas across the UK. To say this is unwelcome news would be an understatement.

Those whose properties and businesses were devastated as a result of the flooding at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, will be very concerned to think that they could be hit by flash floods in the future. Indeed, communities that might have narrowly escaped flooding in the past could now be vulnerable. 

The key is the local aspect of it though, as this will ensure that the solutions are right for the community, with the community at the heart of its decisions. 

Although this is only one prediction about our future weather patterns, what we can be certain of is that climate change is real and the British weather is becoming much more extreme. Neither the Government nor the Environment Agency can control the weather and it is very difficult to plan for unexpected flash flooding. So, we need to be prepared should the worst happen.  

Properties that are at the highest risk of flash flooding must have the necessary barriers and protections to ensure that if a flash flood were hit then the contents of the property is secure. 

Individuals must take the lion share of responsibility for protecting their homes but the Government needs to bring about policy that helps individuals to do this. 

What the Government must do is encourage localised solutions, as different areas will require different flood defences and support and thus the advice and guidance will need to be tailored appropriately. 

UK Flood Barriers, a business based in my constituency in Droitwich, is promoting the concept of a Flood Advisory Service which will do just that. This service brings together the expertise of both private and public flooding organisations to work out the best solution to alleviate flooding, support victims and promote economic growth in that particular area.

The key is the local aspect of it though, as this will ensure that the solutions are right for the community, with the community at the heart of its decisions. 

The Repair & Renew Scheme, to provide flooding victims with up to £5000 pounds to help restore and then install defences for the future, that the Government introduced after the recent flooding episodes was very welcome. But, looking forward, it is much more cost effective to ensure properties are protected in advance of flooding rather than after the devastation of a flood.  

We know that the weather is becoming more unpredictable and so we have no excuse to leave properties unprepared for this extreme weather.

 

Sir Peter Luff is MP for Mid Worcestershire