Expand flood warnings systems urges report

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 27th Aug 2007

Flooding

A report released today has warned that a nationwide warning system on flash rainfall flooding is urgently needed if Britain is to be able to cope with another deluge of rain like that which hit the country in June. The independent report into why Hull suffered so badly and was left inundated with flood water has recommended the Environment Agency issue warnings that cover extreme rainfall. Hull City Council, which commissioned the report, found 7,000 homes were flooded and 1,300 businesses affected after a normal month's worth of rain fell in 24 hours. The IRB called for the Environment Agency to look with "great urgency" at whether its current Floodline system of warnings for river and tidal flooding can be expanded to cover flash rainfall incidents