Flood Action Week highlights the growing threat the UK faces

Flood Action Week kicked off this week as new data from insurer Aviva revealed a sharp rise in flood exposure across the UK.  
 
The new data highlights the growing concern over escalating climate risks as experts warn that flooding is now one of the most immediate threats to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure nationwide. 

Led by the Environment Agency, this year’s campaign urges individuals, councils, and organisations to take practical steps to prepare for future flood events.  

Alongside this, data, published in Aviva’s Building Future Communities Report shows that the number of homes at risk from flooding in England is projected to increase by 27%, reaching 8 million properties by 2050. Flooding, encompassing river, coastal, and surface water events, remains one of the UK’s most significant environmental threats. 

Currently, in the Environment Agency’s latest data around, 6.3 million properties in England alone face flood risk, alongside critical infrastructure such as transport networks, utilities, and businesses. This growing exposure highlights the urgent need for enhanced flood resilience and adaptive planning across the country. 

Aviva’s report also highlights how climate threats will impact some of the UK’s most well-known landmarks, illustrating the real-world implications of these risks: 

• Hampton Court Palace, London: At risk from Thames flooding and extreme heat impacting its historic gardens. 
• Cardiff Bay: Vulnerable waterfront communities face increasing flood threats. 
• Liverpool Waterfront: Coastal and river flooding threaten businesses and tourism hubs. 
• Red House, London: Historic building affected by subsidence linked to local clay soils. 
• Charlecote Park, Warwickshire: Heritage site adapting to frequent flood events. 
• Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim: Coastal erosion and slope instability endanger visitor access. 
• Edinburgh Castle: Surface water flooding challenges ongoing drainage improvements. 

To mark the start of Flood Action Week on Monday, 13th October, Flood Re and  industry leaders gathered at a special Parliamentary Reception to officially launch the campaign. The event, attended by the Secretary of State Emma Reynolds and Mary Long-Dhonau OBE, otherwise known as ‘Flood Mary’, featured the unveiling of the Floodmobile, a vital resource designed to deliver practical information on Property Flood Resilience (PFR) directly to households most in need. 

As Flood Action Week progresses, the focus remains firmly on empowering communities, local authorities, and businesses to build resilience and adapt to the growing challenges posed by flooding in a changing climate.