| UK. Welsh Environment Agency warns homeowners of financial risks caused by flooding |
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| Tuesday, 14 November 2006 | |
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Environmental news: Homeowners that are flooded stand to lose on average more than £28,000 compared to £900 if they are burgled, the Environment Agency warned today on the launch of its flood awareness campaign. Flooding causes an enormous amount of damage, both financially and emotionally. Chris Mills, Director of Environment Agency Wales said: "Some people living in flood risk areas are in denial about the dangers flooding can cause. It's surprising that so many people take no steps whatsoever to safeguard their home against the increasing risk of flooding even though they all lock their doors to protect their homes and possessions against burglary. "We are offering a flood warning service for the first time to 4,500 homes and businesses in coastal areas in North Wales, at most risk of flooding. We are sending letters to urge all of them to register for the service and are holding public roadshows in these areas to explain the service and how people can prepare in advance for flooding." The steps people need to take are: Find out if they are at risk from flooding by visiting our website - www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline or calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188. If they are at risk, register for Floodline Warnings Direct, which provides flood warnings by phone, fax, text, e-mail or pager, for those high risk areas where the service is available and prepare in advance for flooding and check that their buildings and contents insurance covers flood damage. Chris Mills added: "Only 25% of homeowners living in flood risk areas in Wales have actually taken any steps to find out whether they are at risk from flooding, and just 8% of those people have signed up to our Floodline Warnings Direct service. "As we are now entering the season for more unsettled weather, flooding incidents are more likely. Furthermore with climate change, the likelihood of flooding will increase, and more and more of us are at risk." Psychological expert Phillip Hodson said: "Emotionally speaking, a flood is the perfect burglar - you can suffer a greater sense of invasion, violation and loss of control over your life from two feet of muddy water than from the loss of your flat-screen TV. "Flooding is seen as a complex issue that is difficult to deal with and control. That's why people choose to ignore it. We receive numerous warnings in everyday life yet only have the capacity to deal with some of these. Psychologically, we hope that by ignoring the issue it will go away." Chris Mills continued: "We can reduce the effects of floods but cannot prevent them. However, there are simple ways to find out if you are at risk, and also easy steps you can take to prepare for flooding and to reduce the financial and emotional costs. Our campaign is not about causing unnecessary alarm. It's about urging everyone to find out if they are at risk from flooding before it is too late." Editors note: Location of roadshows Flood Warning Area: Roadshow Venue Date - Time Greenfield to Bagillt: Holywell Library 3th Nov 10am - 4.45pm Kinmel Bay: Community Resource Centre 15th Nov 10am - 6pm Barmouth: Theatre y Ddraig, Barmouth 6th Nov 10am - 6pm Rhos-on-Sea and Penrhyn Bay: Town Hall, Colwyn Bay 17th Nov 10am - 6pm Rhyl and Prestatyn: Community Centre, Rhyl 20th Nov 10am - 6pm Porthmadog: Canolfan Glaslyn, Porthmadog 23rd Nov 10am - 6pm Beaumaris: Town Hall, Beaumaris 24th Nov 10am - 6pm Fairbourne: Village Hall, Fairbourne 29th Nov 10am - 6pm Llandudno, North and West Shore: Craig y Don Community Centre 30th Nov 10am - 6pm Trearddur Bay: Village Hall, Trearddur Bay 1st Dec 10am - 6pm Towyn: Community Centre, Towyn 8th Dec 10am - 6pm £28,000 source: Financial costs of property damage due to flooding: The Halifax Dundee Flood Loss Tables 2005, University of Dundee (Black A., Werritty A., Payne, J.) (2005). Median value, rounded. £900 source: Home Office report: Home Office Research Study 217: The economic and social costs of crime, (Brand and Price) (2000). Mean value, rounded with inflation since 2000 added. In Wales, over 170,000 (12%) out of 1.3 million homes and businesses are situated in flood risk areas with property, land and assets to the value of £12 billion at risk. Of the 170,000 homes and businesses at risk from flooding in Wales, we can currently provide a direct flood warning service to over 90,000. Only 20% of these have registered with the service despite us contacting them through our annual flood awareness campaigns. We use a range of methods to communicate warnings to members of the public. These include issuing warnings to the media who will broadcast these messages at regular intervals. You can also listen to recorded flood warning information for your area or speak to an operator for advice 24 hours a day on our Floodline service. We update flood warnings on our web site every 15 minutes. Visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood for the latest information Our Flood Warning codes : Flood Watch - Flooding of low lying land is expected. Be aware, Be prepared, Watch out. Flood Warning - Flooding of homes and businesses is expected. Act Now! Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act Now! All Clear - Flood watches or warnings are no longer in force. Advice and fact sheets about the Flood Warning Service and how to prepare in advance are available free 24 hours a day by calling our Floodline 0845 988 1188 (local rate) or online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline Environment Agency Wales are a Welsh Assembly Government sponsored public body protecting and improving the environment in Wales for present and future generations. We are responsible for managing flood risk, dealing with pollution incidents, reducing industry's impacts on the environment, cleaning up rivers, coastal waters and contaminated land, and improving wildlife habitats. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 November 2006 ) |
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