Now that summer has come to an end, it’s important to keep an eye on the weather forecasts so you can prepare for any inclement conditions that could have an impact on your day to day operations, with the Met Office now predicting that the UK could face up to 18 super storms during the hurricane season.
An investigation by the Daily Star Online has revealed the regions in the UK that are at the greatest risk of flooding, taking into account data from the Environment Agency and Friends of the Earth.
The areas most at risk of flooding from the sea and rivers are Somerset (Glastonbury, Bridgewater and Highbridge), Kent (New Romney, Rochester and Gillingham), Essex (Burnham-on-Crouch), Norfolk (Great Yarmouth), Cambridgeshire (Peterborough and Holbeach), Lincolnshire (Woodhall Spa, Boston, Skegness, Scunthorpe and Santoft), and Yorkshire (Knottingly and Hull), among others.
Those regions most at risk of flooding from surface water include Merseyside, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Cumbria. Coastal erosion was also identified as an issue since it can result in temporary flooding and the permanent loss of homes as they fall into the sea. The east coast of the UK is most at risk, while large parts of Cornwall are also threatened by this.
Guy Shrubsole of Friends of the Earth told the news source: “The UK certainly needs to be prepared for this winter, when there’s greatest risk of heavy rains and storm surges, and as a country we need to be doing far more to defend ourselves from rising seas and worsening storms.”
This follows a University of Newcastle report suggesting that greater flood risks mean that the UK’s infrastructure is at risk from surface, groundwater and river flooding, as well as coastal erosion. Should you find yourself in need of bridge jacking as a result of flooding this season and next, get in touch with us at Freyssinet as a matter of urgency to see how we can help.