Thousands 'ignoring' flood threat

Many people living in flood risk areas are ignoring the threat

Thousands of households at risk of flooding in Yorkshire have failed to sign up for a flood warning service, the Environment Agency has said.

Only 48% of eligible homes in the region use the agency's free Floodline Warnings Direct service which sends out alerts when flooding is imminent.

That means more than 18,000 properties have yet to sign up.

"Some people living in flood risk areas are clearly in denial about the dangers flooding can cause," the agency said.

It estimates that homeowners face an average bill of £28,000 for repairing flood damage.

The agency's floodline offers warnings by phone, text, fax or pager to those who sign up.

Increasing risk

Take-up of the service varies around the region, with Hambleton (80%) and Ryedale (79%) - both in North Yorkshire - highlighted as two of the most flood-aware locations.

Awareness in those areas has been raised following devastating floods in the North York Moors in June 2005.

In Sheffield, South Yorkshire, only 17% of properties use the service and in Hull, East Yorkshire, the figure was just 33%.

A spokesman for the agency's flood forecasting team said: "We all have locks on our doors and many of us install alarms to protect our home and possessions against burglary, but surprisingly, so few people are taking steps to safeguard their home against the increasing risk of flooding.

"It's a sobering thought that if you are flooded you face the risk on average of losing nearly 30 times the amount financially that you would if you were burgled.

"As we are now entering the season for more unsettled weather, flooding incidents are on the rise.

"With climate change the likelihood of flooding will increase, and more and more of us are living in the shadow of that threat."