Flood Risk ManagementHelping us help you

Gordon Trapmore - Flood & Coastal Risk Manager Devon & CornwallKevin Barnes - Flood Resilience Team Leader Devon & CornwallLiz Fraser - Flood Resilience Officer Devon & Cornwall

OutlineFlood risk and the impacts of climate change

Managing flood risk

Flood preparation and warning

Flood awareness and working with communities

Flood risk

Impacts of climate change

Over 2.5 million properties in England and Wales are at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea.

We expect flood risk to increase as climate change influences rainfall patterns.

We expect significantly more rain to fall in winter and more of it to fall in short, heavy bursts. Heavier downpours are also likely in the summer.

Sea level rise will increase coastal flooding.

Increased flooding and coastal erosion will affect people, properties, infrastructure and the environment.

Adapting to climate change requires innovation and flexibility.

This may include considering alternative options to flood defence schemes.

Flash floods

Surface water flooding

Besides flooding from rivers and the sea...

What is flash flooding?Caused by intense rainfall. Have the potential to be very destructive.

Key features:

Happens quickly

Fast deep flowing water

Often associated with debris

Nationally consistent study to identify catchments at risk of flash flooding

Project team set up to work with communities at risk.

Groundwater flooding

Sewer / drain flooding

Reservoir flooding

Other sources...

St Blazey, Mevagissey And Lostwithiel November 2010

Managing flood risk

Flood Management

Build and maintain defences

Restrict development

Forecast and warnMap

flood risk

Promote awareness

Work with emergency responders

Work with communities

Through flood risk management, we can reduce the probability of flooding from rivers and the sea through the management of land, river systems, and flood and coastal defences.

We also work to reduce the damage floods can do through effective land use planning, flood warning and emergency responses.

Flood preparation and warning

Upstream of St Blazey pumping station

Preparing with others

Multi Agency Flood Plans

High Risk Community Flood Plans

Local Community Flood Plans

Local Resilience ForumCategory 1 & 2 responders

Lead Local Flood Authorities

Cornwall Council

Parish CouncilsCommunity Representatives

WarningFlood Forecasting Centre – partnership between the Met Office & the Environment Agency.

The Flood Guidance Statement.

Provides information for Category 1

and 2 responders to help with their

emergency planning.

It presents an overview of the flood risk for England and Wales across five days and identifies possible severe weather, which could cause flooding.

Flood Warning Service

Floodline Warnings DirectFloodline 0845 9881188

Stay alertStay vigilantEarly precautions

Flooding expectedTake actionProtect yourselves & your property

Significant risk to lifeSignificant disruption to communitiesProtect yourselves

Prime Minister’s challenge after November 2010 Cornwall floods:share more information with the public.

Pilot early flood warning system with two communities: St Blazey and Mevagissey.

Communities themselves make informed decisions on potential flood risk.

Flood awareness and working with communities

Flood awarenessFind out if your property is at flood risk.

Floodline 0845 9881188

Acknowledge it!

Take steps to manage your flood risk.

How we can help

What to do before, during and after a flood.

Three day flood risk forecast and rivers and sea levels online.

Your responsibilities if you live next to a river.

Talk to you and your communities about your flood risk.

Provide guidance and support to develop flood plans and flood groups.

Community Flood Plans

It provides practical advice and information about what to do if it floods.

Clarifies roles and responsibilities during a flood.

Other resources

Met Office.

National Flood Forum.

FloodGroup UK.

Know Your Flood Risk.

Summary

Flood risk and how we manage it.

Preparing for it and how we warn.

How we can work together to minimise flood risk.

www.environment-agency.gov.uk