UK flood defence plans are inadequate, warn scientists

More investment in flood defences and improved planning for future disasters are urgently needed, scientists have warned.

Hereford Fire and Rescue personnel drive into a property cut
 off by flooding in the village of Hampton Bishop in Herefordshire.

They predict that the number of extreme wet days – which have already increased this century – will continue to rise in the coming decades and will bring even greater devastation than that experienced this month after Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis swept across the country.

Ciara brought rain and wind gusts of up to 97mph, triggering more than 190 flood alerts. More than 500 properties were flooded and about 25,000 homes left without power. A week later Storm Dennis followed, which in some areas caused more than a month’s rain to fall within 24 hours.

Thousands of people had to be moved from their flooded homes, rivers – including the Wye in Hereford – rose to record levels, while the Environment Agency issued a record number of flood warnings and alerts, including more than 600 last weekend. Four people were killed during Storm Dennis.

Read the story from The Guardian by Robin McKie - “UK flood defence plans are inadequate, warn scientists.”