Welsh Businesses and Homes at Risk from Flooding
According to a recent report, only 1 in 4 homes and businesses in Wales at risk from flooding are actually registered with the free emergency flood warning system.
Of the estimated 170,000 properties at risk just 43,000 are signed up to the Flood Warning System. The warning system triggers an early flood alert via telephone, mobile, email, text and even fax, letting people know that they are in imminent danger of a flood.
A report published last June called for 'urgent and fundamental changes' to the way that the country prepares itself for increased flooding.
The report outlines the importance of the Environmental Agency working with telecom companies to roll out a system that people can 'opt-out' of as opposed to having to 'opt-into'. It was also important to make sure that this scheme was available to all homes and businesses that were liable to flooding, ensuring that even those with ex-directory numbers be included.
Much discussion around the flood warning system and where the failings are, have been talked about. The government have been accussed of lack of promotion of the Flood Warning Direct Service, that could save many thousands of pounds in repairs to the damage caused by flooding.
Much call for strong leadership to protect homes and businesses has been asked for, stating that the current 'leadership' is woefully inadequate. Building on flood plains should also be suspended until more is down to restore confidence and give people the peace of mind that they need to sleep easy in their beds.
The report called for:
- More investment in flood defences
- Flood Defence Agency to monitor and plan for the growing risk of flooding
- Safeguard properties with real defence plans
- Opt-out flood warning scheme
In 2006 the Environment Agency started registering homes that they automatically considered at risk, sadly this process was hampered by several problems including getting hold of ex-directory numbers for these properties.
Extra funding was given to the Environmental Agency in December of last year to work with the telecommunications industry too address such issues, but this has not offered a swift and east resolution to the problems.
Agencies have been encouraged to work together and once the ex-directory database is complete at the end of 2009 many of the homes that are currently not covered by the Flood Warning Scheme, will be.
If you believe that your home is at risk and you wish to sign up for Flood Warnings, then call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
