Property flood resilience guide goes live

The free online resource has been developed by two leading UK experts and is primarily aimed at homeowners. 

Affectionately known as Flood Mary, Mary Long-Dhonau OBE regularly appears in media and news following major flooding events. Her website contains a wealth of advice and signposting to support people at risk from floods, and those recovering from incidents, including reinsurance.

The new Householders Guide to Property Resilience has been published in the wake of flash floods across numerous parts of the UK this summer. In the past week alone, Sky News reported on severe thunderstorms in Sheffield, while BirminghamLive described scenes in the city as ‘biblical’. Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Northern Ireland, West Yorkshire, and North Wales have also been badly affected, while Saturday 8th saw yellow alerts for the majority of England. 

According to the Environment Agency, 5.9million people live in homes directly under threat from flooding. Meanwhile, the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit has warned that there is now a 10% chance of ‘catastrophic flooding’ happening in England within the next 20 years. This refers to events that result in excess of £10billion in damage. 

‘We are seeing more and more flood events each year – and not just in the winter or by rivers or the coast, but during the summer with flash floods indiscriminately making their mark. The truth is that flooding is an increasing threat to so many people. Having experienced flooding myself, I know just how appalling it is,’ said Long-Dhonau.

Alongside Flood Re, Resilico, RAB Consultants, Lakeside Flood Solutions, and a number of other organisations and businesses actively linked to flood recovery and preparation, Dr Carly Rae acted as associate consultant on the work. Part of an ongoing partnership with Long-Dhonau, her 2020 thesis was entitled Understanding the Influence of Psychology and Vicarious Experience on Property Flood Resilience Choices. 

‘Over the years, I have spoken to many flood victims who all agree that the recovery from a flood can be far worse than the flood itself,’ she said. ‘The guide helps people to stay one step ahead and reduce the impact flood water can have, meaning it has the potential to turn their recovery from months to just a matter of days. I therefore encourage everyone to share the free Guide far and wide so we can help as many people as possible.’

You can access the guide here. 

More on flooding:

https://environmentjournal.online/net-zero/new-study-identifies-climate-related-mortgage-slump/

https://environmentjournal.online/headlines/river-thames-scheme/

https://environmentjournal.online/headlines/welsh-schools-take-lead-on-climate-adaptation-and-biodiversity/