The National Flood Emergency Framework for England

Abstract

Flooding – a constant hazard Flooding is a constant hazard to life and property. We know from the Environment Agency’s national assessment of flood risk (published June 2009) that: ■ one in six homes in England is at risk of flooding; ■ over 2.4 million properties are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea in England, of which nearly half a million are at significant risk; and ■ one million of these are also vulnerable to surface water flooding, with a further 2.8 million properties susceptible to surface water flooding alone. As well as flooding from rivers, the sea and surface water, there are significant risks for some communities from groundwater flooding and water from failed or overflowing reservoirs. The scope of this National Flood Emergency Framework extends to these risks too. Flooding happens! Flooding happens. It happens many times each year – often to people, communities and businesses that have suffered from flooding in the past. Its severity has ranged from minor inconvenience to destruction of properties, businesses, livelihoods and normal family life. No part of England can expect to escape the impact of flooding entirely. As well as the potential to cause serious harm to human health and property damage, flooding threatens wider social and economic damage and disruption. But it is difficult to forecast its exact timing or the precise nature of its impact. This uncertainty is one of the main challenges for policy makers and planners. Measures to prevent and control flooding require coordinated national, regional and local effort and cooperation.