Growing challenges in flood risk management
Over the past 18 months, the UK has recorded its highest-ever levels of rainfall. As a result, an increasing number of homes and businesses have been severely affected by intense and unprecedented weather. Since October last year, storms Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, and, most recently, the destructive Storm Eowyn have caused widespread damage, not just to properties but also to entire communities and families.
Flood damage often leaves properties uninhabitable for weeks or even months, forcing families into temporary accommodation and driving up insurance costs for repairs.
I attended the Westminster Sustainable Business Forum: Bricks and Water Inquiry, held at the House of Lords with environmental agencies and stakeholders confirming a concerning statistic: over six million homes in the UK are now at risk of flooding. This alarming figure underscores the urgent need for coordinated action as climate change accelerates flood risks nationwide.
Challenges in flood risk mitigation
Previous Bricks and Water Inquiry's have identified fragmentation within the flood risk sector as a significant challenge. The FloodRe Quinquennial Report highlighted progress in flood protection schemes, with some homes showing increased resilience and requiring minimal remediation after flooding. However, the adoption of flood resilience measures remains low, leaving most properties highly vulnerable.
Initiatives like Build Back Better, introduced by FloodRe, aim to improve flood resilience but have not been widely adopted by insurers. This inconsistency further demonstrates the lack of coordination in flood risk management.
The need for a coordinated strategy
The PCA supports the Inquiry’s call for a national and local strategic approach to flood risk mitigation. A coordinated effort involving government bodies, insurers, and key stakeholders is essential. In particular, competent flood risk assessors and surveyors must play a central role in this strategy.
To address this, the PCA advocates for developing a comprehensive network of trained surveyors specialising in flood risk. These professionals will conduct detailed Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs), providing crucial support to homeowners, planning authorities, and government bodies. Their expertise will help design flood resistance and resilience strategies, reducing property recovery time and lowering remediation costs.
Planning for future housing development
With the UK government planning to build 1.5 million new homes in the next term, careful consideration must be given to their placement. Expanding flood zones poses a significant threat to both new and existing properties, increasing the risk of flood damage due to intensified rainfall and already overburdened drainage systems.
PCA’s commitment to flood resilience
The PCA proposes collaboration with the government, environmental agencies, and other stakeholders to enhance flood resilience across the UK’s housing stock, including new-build developments. By increasing the availability of trained flood risk assessors, the PCA aims to provide practical and sustainable solutions for developers, planning authorities, insurers, and homeowners.
The Association remains committed to equipping its members with the training and resources necessary to assess flood risks effectively. Through proactive flood mitigation measures, the PCA seeks to protect homes, communities, and critical infrastructure from the devastating impacts of flooding.
Bricks and Water 3