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Flooding
The
risk of flooding comes in several different forms, all of
which can result in major damage and distruption to the
community.
Coastal flooding
A medium-scale flood is one of the highest risk events which
could be caused by:
- sea surge,
- spring tides,
- gale force winds or
- heavy rainfall.
An event of this size would affect more than one region and
would lead to some sea and river defences being overwhelmed or
failing in a number of places. This could result in the flooding of
between 1,000 and 10,000 properties, which would require a
multi-agency response and possibly a large-scale evacuation. The
impact on the local infrastructure could last for several days.
River flooding
A sustained period of heavy rainfall extending over two weeks,
perhaps combined with melting snow, would result in steadily rising
river levels over the region. Localised flooding, affecting a
similar number of properties to the medium-scale coastal flooding
described above, would have a major impact on minor roads, some A
roads and trunk roads. Some rail lines and stations would be
closed. Most waterways would be closed to traffic.
This is the typical type of flooding within the United Kingdom
and is one to which is becoming more likely as more building takes
place on flood-plains.
Flash flooding
Heavy localised rainfall in steep valley catchments can lead to
flash flooding. It is likely that no flood defences would be in
place and the suddenness of the event means that timely flood
warnings would be impossible, leading to the likely flooding of up
to 200 properties at a time. The Boscastle flooding of 2004 was a
flash flood.
Flood plans
Medway Council, in partnership with the Kent Resilience Forum, works closely with the
Environment Agency (www.environment-agency.gov.uk),
the emergency services and developers to draw up and maintain flood
plans and to ensure that appropriate flood defences are in
place.
To find out if your home is at risk and for more information
about flooding, visit:
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