One in six at risk of flooding

Friday, 19 June 2009 12:00

One in six homes in England are at risk of flooding, according to the Environment Agency.

The agency claims climate change has increased the risk of flooding and more than five million people live and work in 2.4 million properties at risk, with 490,000 with a significant chance of flooding - and this could rise to 840,000 by 2035 unless more investment is made.

The annual cost of damage to property could rise from £2.5 billion to £4 billion by 2035 unless funding for defences is increased, the Environment Agency added.

Yet 17 per cent of people have cancelled their buildings insurance and 22 per cent have cancelled their contents cover to save money in the recession, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has found, suggesting that many at risk of flooding have no cover at all.

The Environment Agency's chairman Lord Chris Smith, said: "The latest UK climate change data shows that the risk of flooding and coastal erosion will continue to increase in future due to rising sea levels and more frequent and heavy storms, and there are important decisions for us all to take about how to manage these risks to protect people, communities, businesses and the economy in future."

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: "The insurance industry has a good record for helping people who have suffered at the mercy of extreme weather.

"Now would be a very good time for those who have not renewed their cover to look for a more competitive insurer rather than cancelling altogether."

The Environment Agency also suggests people living in areas at risk of flood to sign up to its free flood warning service, which provides early warning by SMS, telephone or email.

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