It is now widely agreed that our climate is changing as a result of human activity. Some aspects of climate change have significant implications for flooding. The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) predict that extreme weather events will become more severe and will happen more often. The number of winter storms crossing the UK has already doubled in the last 50 years. It is during periods of heavy rainfall that drains and rivers overflow, creating floods. We can therefore expect to experience an increase in the number and severity of floods over the next century.

The government commissioned the Pitt Review to assess what happened in the floods of 2007 and any lessons to be learned. The final report calls for urgent and fundamental changes in the way the country is adapting to the increased risk of flooding and how the country’s flood resilience will be improved. Click on the link on the right to read the report.

Flooding information and help

The Environment Agency website allows you to find out about the risk of flooding in your area, and also provides up-to-date flood warnings and advice on how to protect your home or business from flooding by following simple steps. Click on the link on the right-hand side.

The Environment Agency also provides the
Floodline Service - Telephone 0845 988 1188. You can listen to recorded flood warning information or speak to an operator for general information and advice 24 hours a day. 

Cambridgeshire County Council’s Emergency Management Team works to ensure that the most effective arrangements are in place to protect us and our property should a serious flooding event occur. The links on the right provide information on what to do when you hear a flooding warning and how to cope after a flood.

District councils may be able to assist residents in domestic properties whose houses are either at imminent risk of flooding or have historically been flooded in the past, with the provision of sand bags. However, the policy on sandbags varies between district councils.

The National Flood Forum is a registered charity that provides support and advice to communities and individuals that have been flooded or are at risk of flooding. It aims to influence central and local government and all agencies that manage flood risk. Follow the link on the right for advice on how to make your home flood resilient

County Council Action

The County Council, as a partner in the European programme FLOWS, looked at solutions to the increased flood risk issues posed by climate change and the delivery of practical projects to demonstrate how we need to adapt to learn to live with water. These were:

• The retrofitting of an education estabishment with the production of a booklet targetted at small businesses
• The installation of a sustainable drainage system at a new residential development