‘As we approach the height of the British Summer, thoughts turn to leather on willow, strawberries & cream and of course…the likelihood of flash floods! Experience has taught us that it is not the usual risk from around our coastline or rivers that threatens at this time of the year, but the high intensity storm cells that track northwards laden with moisture that we need to be prepared for. The question is where will these storm cells track, which local areas will be affected and how well prepared are the local services to assist?

The EU Floods Directive came into force on 26th November 2007 against a background of Europe suffering over 213 major damaging floods between 1998 and 2009, including the catastrophic floods along the Danube and Elbe rivers in summer 2002. Severe floods in 2005 further reinforced the need for concerted action. Between 1998 and 2009, floods in Europe caused some 1126 deaths, the displacement of about half a million people and at least €52 billion in insured economic losses.Catastrophic floods endanger lives and cause human tragedy as well as heavy economic losses. Floods are a natural phenomenon but through the right measures we are actively reducing their likelihood and limiting their impacts.

In addition to economic and social damage, floods can have severe environmental consequences, for example when installations holding large quantities of toxic chemicals are inundated or wetland areas destroyed. The coming decades are likely to see a higher flood risk in Europe and greater economic damage.’

To read more go to:

http://xpsolutions.com/Resources/News-Releases/be-prepared-summer-flash-floods/