Don’t ignore flood risk

With climate change likely to increase the risk of extreme weather and floods, the Environment Agency is advising all businesses to take some simple steps to prepare for flooding.

Small businesses are more at risk from flooding than fire - the effects can be 30 times as costly as burglary - yet many businesses still do not have any measures in place to protect their property or staff from flooding. Last summer alone, nearly 7,000 businesses were flooded, with the total damage estimated at around £1.3billion. Many of these businesses had never flooded before.

The first step businesses should take is to find out whether their premises are in an area at risk of river or coastal flooding by using the Environment Agency’s online postcode checker. Those who are at risk can register for the free Floodline Warnings Direct service, which provides flood warnings by telephone, mobile, email, fax or pager whenever a flood warning is issued in the area. 

The Environment Agency also suggests businesses should use its straightforward template to develop a flood plan, as those not at risk of river or coastal flooding can still be affected by surface water flooding in cases where drainage systems are unable to deal with intense rainfall. The plan should include a list of important contacts, a map showing key equipment, protective materials and service shut-off points and basic strategies to protect property, ensure staff safety and minimise business disruption if a flood occurs.

Says Environment Agency chief executive Barbara Young: “We know that small businesses have limited time and resources, but with climate change putting increasing numbers of businesses at risk of flooding, investing some time in preparation now could really pay dividends in the future. By checking their flood risk and following our simple preparation guide, businesses can cut the cost of damage by as much as 90 per cent and make sure they are protecting their staff and premises.” 

For further information about how to prepare for flooding and to find out if your business is at risk visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.