Great Britain: One in five homes at risk of flooding

Around one in five properties in Britain are at risk of flooding, a rate increasing by 15% since 2018, the Environment Agency warned on Tuesday, based on analyzes including projections on the effects of global warming.

Around 6.3 million homes and businesses are located in areas at risk of flooding from rivers, seas and surface waters. During the last assessment carried out in 2018, this figure stood at 5.5 million.

With climate change, the total number of properties affected by these flood risks “could reach 8 million by the middle of the century, or around one in four”, according to the Environment Agency, commissioned by the government flood management.

For the first time, the data integrates the latest climate projections made by the Met Office, the British meteorological agency. These analyzes should be used by government, the Environment Agency and local authorities to improve flood protection measures.

Around 4.6 million properties are at risk of flash flooding, which occurs when drainage systems are overwhelmed by rainwater, an increase of 43% from the 2018 assessment. “These changes are almost entirely due to significant improvements in the Environment Agency’s data, modeling and use of technology, which enable a more accurate assessment of flood risk,” said the Agency.

Furthermore, around 3,500 properties will be located in areas at risk of coastal erosion by 2055. This figure will exceed 10,000 by the end of the century, according to analyzes by the Coastal Coast Agency. environment.

“More detailed information on flood risk, taking into account climate change, is essential for local authorities to plan effectively and protect people,” said Hannah Bartram, of the Association of Environmental Directors , planning and transport. The UK has been battered by Storms Bert and Darragh in recent weeks, bringing gusty winds and heavy rain.

With global temperatures rising due to climate change, scientists have warned that heat waves and other extreme weather events, such as severe floods, droughts and wildfires will become more frequent and intense.