Improving the uptake of flood resilience at the individual property level

Carly Rose,Mary Dhonau,David Proverbs,Jessica Lamond,Rotimi Joseph

doi:10.2495/safe-v6-n3-607-615

Abstract

One of the drivers for improving resilience to flooding at property level (also known as adoption of a ‘water entry strategy’) was demonstrated by the overtopping of hard engineered flood defences across Cumbria, UK during ‘Storm Desmond’ in December 2015. Although the uptake of water exclusion strategies (also termed ‘flood resistance) is gradually improving in the UK, the longer term resilience options that permit water entry are less popular. Findings from an evidence assessment of the barriers and drivers to uptake of low-cost water entry strategy options are presented. Evidence was collected using a Rapid Evidence Assessment of published materials, semi-structured interviews and workshops with professionals, and a series of case studies of properties that had been adapted to flood risk. Factors leading to successful implementation are identified and illustrated by case study material from homes and small businesses. Water entry and water exclusion approaches were found to be seen as two methods used as part of an integrated approach that can bring about important co-benefits such as improved thermal efficiency and lower energy bills.

Highlights

One of the drivers for improving resilience to flooding at property level was demonstrated by the overtopping of hard engineered flood defences across Cumbria, UK during ‘Storm Desmond’ in December 2015 [1]
Flood resilience within a building can be achieved in different ways: for example, avoidance of inundation by raising items such as electrical sockets above expected flood levels; or using resilient materials that do not deform/disintegrate on contact with floodwater, such as cementitious materials
Where published studies included performance data, these largely reported the results of experiments on building assemblies, or building components subject to submersion or simulated flooding, on a limited number of materials

Summary

Introduction

One of the drivers for improving resilience to flooding at property level ( known as adoption of a ‘water entry strategy’) was demonstrated by the overtopping of hard engineered flood defences across Cumbria, UK during ‘Storm Desmond’ in December 2015 [1]. The uptake of water exclusion strategies ( termed ‘flood resistance) is gradually improving in the UK, in large part due to the demonstration projects funded by Defra and the Environment Agency between 2009 and 2012; the longer term resilience options that permit water entry, are less well known [2]. Water entry strategy has been defined [3] as: Allow water through property to avoid risk of structural damage but noting that, for low depths, this strategy can include Attempt to keep water out for low depths of flooding. This paper is part of the Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Flood Risk Management and Response (FRIAR 2016) www.witconferences.com

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion