From drought to deluge

Ecclesiastical Insurance is warning about the risk of flash flooding as MET Office forecasts a wet spell for the UK.

The specialist insurer has issued the warning after the driest spring in England since 1961 – a stark contrast to spring 2024, which was the wettest in 38 years.

So far this spring, the UK has recorded just 80.6mm of rain, nearly 20mm less than the record low for the full season of 100.7mm set in 1852.

With the MET Office announcing heavy rain and wind for parts of the UK over the coming week, there is a risk of flash flooding and damage to property as a result.

Flash flooding can happen very quickly and cause damage and disruption in the process.

It happens when a large amount of rain falls in a short space of time and the ground is unable to absorb the water. After an extended dry period, the ground in many places is dry and compacted, water may not be absorbed as quickly, leading to runoff and flooding.

Flash flooding is also a particular issue for urban areas, where hard surfaces such as roads and concrete don't let the water drain away into the ground.

In July 2021, more than a thousand properties in London, as well as more than 30 tube stations, were affected by flooding when double the normal July rainfall fell in just two hours.

On sloped surfaces, that water rapidly runs off, causing flash flooding – potentially damaging properties in the process. This is a considerable risk to properties with lower ground and basement rooms.

To help prepare for potential flash flooding, Ecclesiastical Insurance’s risk management team has developed guidance to reduce the risk of flooding affecting properties.

This includes preparing a recovery plan that covers how to deal with severe weather and the risk of flooding. This covers areas such as maintenance of buildings and any trees or bushes, repairing damaged guttering, regularly inspecting and maintaining existing drainage systems and clearing any blocked rainwater gullies.

Property owners can also install systems to mitigate the risk of flooding, including:

• Flood barriers - boards that can be installed across doorways and windows ahead of the arrival of flood water. These usually slide into a frame pre-attached to the building structure to provide a watertight seal.
• Sandbags - used in conjunction with plastic sheeting to create a flood barrier.
• Air-brick covers - one of the first points of entry of floodwater into a property is via air-brick vents. A plastic cover can be clipped to the framework surrounding air-bricks to stop water from entering.
• Non-return valves to drainage systems to prevent backflow of foul water into the property.
• Drainage gullies - installed around your property, designed to capture surface water and divert it directly to drains.
• Landscaping - can be used to divert surface water away from a building. Care should be taken to ensure water is not diverted onto neighbouring property where it could cause damage.

Jo Whyman, Risk Management Director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “Unpredictable and extreme weather is becoming more prevalent in the UK, from heatwaves to flooding, so it’s important that we are ready to support customers when they need us.

“Last spring we saw some of the wettest conditions on record, and this year we’ve gone in the opposite direction to one of the driest. With that comes the risk of flash flooding when it rains, as the ground is unable to absorb the downpour – leading to run off and a risk to properties.

“What is important is to be prepared. While your property may not have flooded previously, new developments, highways maintenance, and even the time of year can all have an impact on how flood waters behave. With flash flooding, there is often very little time between the rain falling and flash flooding occurring.

“We’d encourage property owners to take precautions, carry out reviews of their flood plans, and act now to help safeguard homes and businesses.”