Flooding
What is River & Surface water flooding?
Flooding can take different forms and, at its most serious, can affect many different aspects of our daily lives. Over the coming years rising temperatures and sea levels, and an increase in frequency and severity of extreme weather events, are likely to raise the risk of flooding in the UK.
Excluding coastal flooding, the two main types of flood are river and surface water flooding (caused by excess rainfall flows from or over surfaces such as roads, roofs, patios and surfaces that cannot easily absorb water). These two types can be grouped under the general description of ‘inland flooding’ as they can and do occur simultaneously.
What is Coastal flooding?
The risk of coastal flooding is one of the most significant risks on the National Risk Assessment. The east coast (from Northumbria to Kent) is under threat from the possibility of coastal flooding caused by a combination of low atmospheric pressure over the North Sea, high tide levels (Spring tides) and northerly gales driving a storm surge down the east coast of England towards the English Channel.
The outcome could be a very large sea surge in the North Sea, with tides, gale force winds and potentially heavy rainfall. Many coastal regions and tidal reaches of rivers could be affected, from South Yorkshire down the coast as far as Kent.
The consequences of flooding include:
- Risk to life and health.
- Damage to homes, businesses, communities, agricultural land and infrastructure
- Evacuation of residents in short, medium and long-term phases
- Disruption to utilities (electricity and water supply)
- Pollution and contamination of the environment
- Impact on the local economy and businesses
