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TWO SEPARATE reports have been published, both urging the Government to take urgent steps to deal with Britain’s growing risk from flooding.
A report by Sir Michael Pitt, head of an independent review into the severe floods in England and Wales in the summer of 2007, says that flooding should have the same priority as terrorism or a flu pandemic. In a separate report, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) calls on the Government to establish a single national body that is responsible for flood management, as part of a 25-year flood risk strategy.
 The Pitt Review interim report highlights the need for more flood-resilient buildings and greater leadership from, and coordination among, local authorities. It also identifies shortfalls in current national flood emergency plans, including no system-atic stockpiling of emergency equipment such as boats. The need for emergency service workers to have the right equipment and be better trained at water rescues is also covered.
The ABI report, Summer Floods 2007: Learning the lessons, highlights the need for better flood preparation, such as identifying and protecting the key infra-structure. It also stresses the need for greater communication and clarity of roles between all agencies involved in response and clean-up operations.
Summer Floods 2007: Learning the lessons is available from: www.abi.org.uk/
The Pitt Review report is available from: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/thepittreview
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