Flood Defences
Around 5 million people in England and Wales live in a flood risk area. Flooding can seriously damage your home. The 2007 floods affected some 57,000 properties. Some of these owners couldn’t move back into their home for a year.
“The reality of having your home flooded is difficult to understand unless you have been through the experience – you can face months away from home while it is restored. A flood can also mean the prospect of throwing away the downstairs contents of your home and an immense amount of disruption to normal family life. The emotional impact can be equally devastating. Coping with the unfamiliar tasks of sorting out the restoration of your home whilst living in temporary accommodation, plus worrying about the possible impact on house prices and the risk of future flooding all add to the stress of the situation. Having your home flooded is an appalling experience, but the distress and disruption can be limited if you are prepared. Having a plan can help – knowing who is going to do what and where to turn for help can really calm the crisis.”
In areas where the likelihood of flooding is significant, where no improvements in permanent defences are planned or feasible and the annual chance of flooding is more than 1.3% (1 in 75), insurers will not guarantee to provide cover in all cases. Full cover may be possible, or premiums lowered, if flood protection products are installed. This may include, for example, temporary barriers which are deployed prior to flooding.
