Flooding

Around 6.3 million homes and businesses in England are in areas at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water, according to the Government's latest National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA). 

With climate change, the total number of properties in areas at risk from flooding could increase to around 8 million by 2050 which accounts for 1 in 4 properties in England.  

Flooding can come from rivers, seas, groundwater, surface water or sewage spills. Prolonged heavy rainfall can cause rivers to breach their banks, surface water can making driving hazardous or cause flash flooding in localised areas. Even coastal flooding could impact Cambridgeshire and Peterborough because Fenland is close to the Wash.

The Environment Agency, a key player in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Resilience Forum, is responsible for issuing flood warnings.

Using the latest technology, staff monitor rainfall, river levels and sea conditions to forecast the possibility of flooding. If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued using a set of three easily recognisable codes:

• Flood alert – means that flooding is possible so you should prepare now. The Environment Agency usually issues alerts between 2 and 12 hours before flooding.
• Flood warning – means that flooding is expected so you should act now. The Environment Agency usually issues a warning 30 minutes to 2 hours before flooding. If a warning is issued you should follow your flood plan to protect yourself, your family, and property.
• Severe flood warning – means that flooding could cause danger to life and significant disruption to communities. You must act now. If a severe warning is issued, you should be ready to evacuate your home, call 999 if in immediate danger and if you are caught in a flash flood move to higher ground or an upper floor of a building if it is safe.

More information can be found on the Environment Agency’s website or by telephoning Floodline on 0345 988 1188.