Environment Agency: Nearly two in three households at risk of flooding don’t believe it will happen to them
People in Yorkshire are being urged to be vigilant in at risk flood areas.
Nearly two in three households at risk of flooding don’t believe it will happen to them, new analysis revealed by the Environment Agency today (Tuesday 23th November) has warned. It comes as the Met Office has said there is an above average likelihood of a wet winter.
Members of the public are being urged to join their friends, family and neighbours who have already taken action to help prepare themselves and their properties for possible flooding. The research shows that people who haven’t taken action to prepare for flooding are in the clear minority (30%), but this still means that as many as 1.5 million households, who are at risk, are yet to prepare.
The new analysis has been released at the start of Flood Action Week (22nd–28th November 2021), when the Environment Agency is urging people to check their flood risk online, sign up for flood warnings and, if they are at risk, know what to do if flooding hits.
Those at risk are encouraged to follow the advice to ‘Prepare. Act. Survive’, specifically:
· If there is a flood alert – prepare by packing medicines and insurance and other important documents and visit the flood warning information service.
· If there is a flood warning – act by moving family, pets and belongings to safety. Turn off gas, water and electricity.
· If there is a severe flood warning – survive immediate danger by following the advice of emergency services or calling 999 if needed
The warnings come as the Environment Agency continues to prepare for possible flooding, with the Met Office’s outlook showing there is an above average chance of the UK winter being wetter than normal over the next three months.