Storms Ciara and Dennis have prompted a torrent of commentary going way beyond the standard mantra of Government on cost beneficial investment. The themes from the last two weeks are merged here illustrating that the issues go well beyond discussions of investment in big flood schemes. It is about time the Government recognised and lead on this wider agenda.

The investment response

Government justify their flood and erosion risk investment decisions

Hypocrisy  Government ask EU for funds for flood damage!  This is behind a pay wall 

Government on the back foot for lack of leadership and not the Environment Agency – Tory press quick to ladle out the blame

Emma Howard Boyd defends the EA against another attack by the Times

Letter to The Telegraph from Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency

Response from the Chair to The Telegraph article, “Don’t expect your properties to be protected, Environment Agency warns” (18 February).

Major package of support for storm-hit areas

Government announces thousands of pounds of support including grants, council tax relief and business rate relief for people and businesses in areas affected by flooding.

Records everywhere

River level records broken across the country

The number of flood incidents at any one time hits an historic high – John Curtin

Ciara rainfalls … 40mm – 80mm normal – Cumbria 179mm in a day

Guardian: Storm Dennis everything you need to know

Austerity – how can you keep cutting local authority, blue light and the EA and expect to be able to respond to large scale national emergencies

Government ignored Pitt advice

The cuts to the Environment Agency over the last 10 years – 50% are now well known

The Fire Brigades Union has highlighted cuts to its operations and lack of formal recognition of role in floods in England

House building on Flood plains and risks for new housing – Bright Blue analysis

More than 11,000 homes in England to be built on land at high risk of flooding

One in 10 new homes in England built on land with high flood risk

Integrated catchment solutions   We need investment in integrated assessments of the measures to be taken throughout catchments – including natural flood management measures

Natural flood management – not enough

Dredging not the answer – CIWEM

The need for resilience

CIWEM The Property Flood Resilience Code of Practice also recently launched at House of Commons.

The role of the insurance industry

Insurance companies sleep walking into catastrophe

The scale of Climate change and the response necessary

Guardian: Climate & science UK must prepare for more intense and regular storms

UK flood defence plans are inadequate, warn scientists