How Hanover Scotland’s proactive flood risk response was enhanced through Zurich Municipal and Previsico partnership 

In Scotland, according to 2024 figures, approximately 284,000 homes and businesses are at risk of flooding. This figure is projected to increase by around 40% by the 2080s due to climate change, meaning an additional 110,000 properties will be at risk. 

Approximately one in eleven properties in Scotland are at medium to high risk of flooding. Surface water flooding, caused by overwhelmed urban drainage systems during rainfall is the most common source of flooding – in fact, it poses a greater risk than coastal or river flooding.  

Hanover Scotland manages more than 5,000 homes across Scotland. They offer a variety of housing types and tenure options to meet the needs of older people. One of their specific developments in Fort William, that contains over 30 flats housing elderly residents, lies at the foot of Ben Nevis, making it highly vulnerable to surface water runoff. The development sits just off the main road that runs through Fort William, which is susceptible to surface water flooding, managed by the local authority. The development has previously been impacted by flooding, which included damage to ground-level infrastructure like ground floor lift shafts and air vents.  

Hanover Scotland, through their insurer Zurich Municipal, deployed Previsico’s hyperlocal flood forecasting system at its 10 highest-risk developments, including Fort William. 

On 30 December 2024, Previsico issued an early warning (17 hours before expected flooding) for the afternoon of New Year’s Eve for the Fort William development, triggering Hanover's flood action process. 

Hanover staff then implemented protective measures including deploying HydroSnakes at doors and air vents, informed directly by Previsico alerts. The Hydrosnakes were already in situ following proactive mitigation assessment/analysis works having previously being undertaken at the development. 

The main road to the development was expected to also be affected which prompted the local authority to deploy sandbags on the road in front of the development, diverting the flood water so that it did not enter Hanover’s property. 

Hanover have been very proactive in their measures to be more flood resilient and utilise Previsico’s solution within their processes. They now have over 20 essential staff members receiving Previsico’s early warnings and have developed a flood action process to enact when needed. They have also had discussions with the local authority to be more proactive when it comes to monitoring and maintaining drainage assets.  

• Property Protection: No water entered the Fort William development during the event, preventing costly damage to vulnerable infrastructure and residents. 
• Resident Safety and Confidence: Elderly residents reported feeling "safer" and "prepared", thanks to early warning and visible action. 
• Scalable Best Practice: The successful use of this system at Fort William supports roll-out across Hanover’s other high-risk sites, including in Elderslie, Stonehaven, and Aberdeen. 
• Deeper knowledge and understanding: Previsico’s data has provided key information to Hanover Scotland about their most high-risk assets that they previously didn’t have. They are now able to use that information to make informed decisions when it comes to preventing flood impacts.