The impacts of flooding are far reaching - it afflicts communities, homes, businesses and sadly takes lives. It also often leads to the failure of critical infrastructure networks such as power and transport, further restricting access to basic services when they’re needed most. The often long-term effect on businesses is damaging theUK economy as a whole.
“Local communities need to be able adopt a wider range of measures that are not solely reliant on conventional flood defences, but this requires the appropriate levels of funding and guidance to be in place. Lead Local Flood Authorities who now have responsibility for flooding must be properly supported to deliver this. The Environment Agency itself states that every £1 invested in flood risk, returns around £8 worth of benefit. Adopting a diverse range of solutions will improve our resilience, and ensure these benefits are realised. We cannot just wait for floods to destroy homes - we must take effective measures to mitigate and avoid damage.”
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