Extreme flooding - are we prepared?

CIWEM's conference 'Preparedness for Extreme Flooding Events: Acting on the Lessons' is looking to provide some answers.

Annual flooding damage is estimated to cost the British economy £1bn but this figure could rise to £25 billion by 2080 if the worst case scenario of extreme flooding occurs.

CIWEM conference is looking to provide some answers.

Through sustainable flood risk management such as effective land use planning and more wetlands to protect against storms, accurate flood warning and co-ordinated emergency responses, we can reduce the probability and effects of flooding.

Traditional responses can be overwhelmed by the speed and scale with which extreme flooding can exert its effect.

Since that day when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, key UK organisations have recognised the need to examine issues surrounding our reactions to such events.

We need to understand the developing organisational picture in relation to the roles of key organisations in extreme flood events, look at the capabilities required to respond effectively and to identify any gaps and key actions that might arise.

CIWEM's conference 'Preparedness for Extreme Flooding Events: Acting on the Lessons' will look at issues such as communication between the key organisations involved, building resilience between different services, rescues and evacuation, decision making, logistical support and recovery.

David Rooke, Head of Flood Risk Management, Environment Agency, will chair sessions which will draw information from a wide range of sources, including examples of extreme floods such as New Orleans, Boscastle and Carlisle, and help build a clear picture of the developing scenarios resulting from climate change.

Delegates will be given insight into the perspectives of the Police, Fire services, local authorities and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Darren Johnson, of Greater London Authority, will look into how prepared London is for an extreme flood, and Keith Groves, Head of Forecasting for The Meteorological Office, will talk about what is actually possible in terms of forecasting and warning in relation to extreme events.

'Preparedness for Extreme Flooding Events: Acting on the Lessons' is at SOAS, Russell Square, London on November 8th.

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