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Failing to prepare is preparing to fail...

This Guardian piece by John Harris explores something which hydrologists have known for decades. We know how to stop communities from flooding, but it takes the politicians to prioritise the funding for the methods that work: nature based solutions often, and stop allowing developers to build housing in floodplains - and a whole raft of other things such as proper drainage schemes.

The piece also features a really nice illustration by Nathalie Lees.

The AVIVA report from October that is referenced here is worth a read.

There are references to particular landmarks - physical features as well as buildings - and some specific statistics.


The report also outlines how many properties could be at risk across the UK. In England, the number of homes at risk from flooding is set to increase by over a quarter (27%), from 6.3 million to 8 million.

While coastal flooding could put 3.2 million homes at threat, worryingly, surface water flooding– or flash floods – which are harder to predict and protect against, are also likely to increase. Environment Agency data suggests the number of properties at risk in England could rise to 6.1 million between 2040 and 2060, including a 66% rise in the number of properties at high risk. But according to Aviva’s analysis, urban and densely populated areas, including London, Manchester and areas of the North East, could be hotspots for surface water flooding in future due to the greater prevalence of hard surfaces, which can prevent rainwater from draining.

The number of properties affected by flooding is also likely to rise in Scotland and Wales in the coming decades. In Scotland, 80% more properties could face river and coastal flood risk, and more than double are likely to experience surface water flooding by 2080. Projections for Wales look equally stark, with an 88% increase in river and coastal flood risk and 47% more properties facing surface water flooding by 2120.
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