Half of homes 'ignore flood risk'

Thousands of homes in Berkshire and Oxfordshire were flooded

Nearly half the people living in a flood risk area in the Thames region still believe they are not at risk.

The Environment Agency said it had seen a 20% increase in the number of people signing up to its early flood warnings since last year's widespread flooding.

But the agency responsible for looking after the UK's environment said 43% of people living in vulnerable homes in the area were still ignoring the risk.

The warning comes a year after what was a one in 600-year "rainfall event".

Barry Russell, the Environment Agency's area flood risk manager, said: "We've had an extra 16,300 customers register for early flood warnings, that's a 20% increase.

"But 43% of people who live in a flood risk area still believe they are not at risk. It's about getting the message out.

People are taking it [flooding] more seriously, but not everyone is in a position to do anything about it Nick Hills, Oxford Flood Alliance

"Since last year we've seen £17m spent on flood risk management schemes in the Thames region including £180,000 of demountable defences.

"The rainfall that we saw last year was the worst on record so it was extraordinary. It's a one in 600-year rain fall event - 50mm in 24 hours. It was extreme.

"There's always that risk that it could happen again."

Figures released this week showed 344 households across Oxfordshire and Berkshire had been unable to move home since last summer's floods.

The Environment Agency has been exploring the possibility of building a £100m flood alleviation channel around Oxford to help mitigate against future flood disasters.

But it could be 2016 before that becomes a reality and it is just one of several options being looked at by the Environment Agency.

Mr Russell said in the mean time the best thing people could do was to be prepared.

"Public awareness is key," he said.

"Simple measures like taking the car to higher ground when there is a flood warning, moving sentimental things upstairs, make the house flood resistant like using a water resistant plaster or moving the plug sockets 1m above the skirting boards and using tile or stone flooring."

Flood wardens

One person who has taken such measures is Nick Hills who was flooded out of his Earl Street, Oxford, home.

The 59-year-old is a member of Oxford Flood Alliance and West Oxfordshire Community Flood Group, having been flooded out of his home three times since 2000.

Mr Hills, who is just returning to his home one year on having replaced wooden floors with stone flooring, said cost prevented many people from making the necessary flood prevention changes.

"People are taking it [flooding] more seriously but not everyone is in a position to do anything about it," he said.

"If you are elderly and living in a house that you were born in, it could cost thousands."

Mr Hills said he was encouraging more people to become flood wardens, with the aim of having one in every street.

It is something the Environment Agency has said it is looking to make more use of.