LtB No. 125/14 Quick Identification of Flood Risk Areas

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Letter to Branches




No. 125/14
Ref E4/14
Date: 21 February 2014

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Quick Identification of Flood Risk Areas

The recent weather may have already provided ample evidence about whether you live or work in an area at risk from flooding. But, if you are not facing rising flood waters right now, how do you know whether your house or workplace is at risk from flooding in the future? In addition to its live flood risk maps, the Environment Agency provides an online postcode search for England and Wales, enabling people to find out if the area where they live is at risk from flooding. The BBC has also set up an online 'Live Flood
Warning Map' in conjunction with the Environment Agency.

Flooding falls into different categories: from sea and rivers, reservoirs, groundwater and surface flooding.

River flooding happens when a river cannot cope with the amount of water draining into it from the surrounding land. Sea flooding happens when there are high tides and stormy conditions. The shading on the map shows the risk of flooding from rivers and the sea in this particular area. Click on the map for a more detailed explanation.

The Environment Agency also supplies this information on a commercial basis to insurers who use it, combined with information from other sources, to help calculate how much to charge for flood cover. The Environment Agency's postcode search map covers most but not all of these categories. Insurers are likely to consider information from other sources about other forms of flooding.

When purchasing a house in an area that looks like it is at risk from flooding, many experts would advise having an extensive flood search done to give a fuller picture. This would generally be organised by the buyer's solicitor. Those who already own a house or business may want to double-check the details of their insurance policy to remind them of the extent of cover.

BBC Live flood warning map: England and Wales:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26189096" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Environment Agency online postcode map search for England and Wales: http://watermaps.environment-agency.gov ... 02&scale=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer