No time for complacency about flooding
- By Elaine Bird
- 25 November 2021
- West Norfolk
- Share:
Environment Agency urges action as Met Office warns of above average likelihood of a wet winter
Nearly two in three households at risk of flooding don’t believe it will happen to them, new analysis revealed by the Environment Agency on Tuesday 23 November, has warned. It comes as the Met Office has said there is an above average likelihood of a wet winter.
The new analysis has been released at the start of Flood Action Week (22–28 November 2021), when the Environment Agency is urging people to check their flood risk online, sign up for flood warnings and, if they are at risk, know what to do if flooding hits. Those at risk are encouraged to follow the advice to ‘Prepare. Act. Survive’, specifically:
- If there is a flood alert – prepare by packing medicines and insurance and other important documents and visit the flood warning information service.
- If there is a flood warning – act by moving family, pets and belongings to safety. Turn off gas, water and electricity.
- If there is a severe flood warning – survive immediate danger by following the advice of emergency services or calling 999 if needed
Will Lang, Head of Civil Contingencies at the Met Office said:
“Winters in the UK usually includes a wide variety of weather and this winter looks to be no exception. However, when looking at the big global drivers that impact weather in the UK there are indications this winter could be wetter than normal.
“Although these wetter conditions are most likely in January and February next year, details will become clearer nearer the time and information can be found on the forecast pages of our website.”
With just 30cm of flowing water being enough to float a car, drivers are also being warned not to attempt to drive through flood water and take extra precautions in wet weather.
Checking if you are at risk is simple - log into https://www.gov.uk/check-long-... and put in your postcode. You can see a map of your area like these ones I sampled in King's Lynn, Hunstanton, Dersingham and Snettisham