Entec Bulletin
Entec Flood Study for ABI Published

The Association of British Insurers has published Coastal flood risk – Thinking for tomorrow, acting today, a report that assesses the threat from rising sea levels and examines the impact on the east coast and in particular on Hull, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, Southend, East London and Hastings. It is predicted that a 40cm rise in sea levels could happen as soon as 2040.

The report, produced by Entec in collaboration with Risk Management Solutions and Risk & Policy Analysts, concludes that £8 billion needs to be invested into flood defences over the next 25 to 30 years to protect the east coast from flooding. Also recommended is a long-term flood management strategy, which looks at funding needs 25–30 years ahead, and regional planning taking into account the likely impact of climate change in 50 and 100 years time.

The report concludes:

• A 40cm rise in sea levels will put an extra 130,000 properties at risk of flooding. In total 400,000 properties will be at risk, up nearly 50% on the current number. In Hull alone 19,000 properties could suffer serious flooding; 24,000 properties in Southend.
• Without improvements to existing flood defences, the cost of a major coastal flood could soar by 400% and cost as much as £16 billion.
• Essential services and lives will be at risk. 15% of fire and ambulance stations and 12% of hospitals and schools are in flood-risk areas.
• The elderly will be particularly affected as the number living on, or moving to, the coast is well above the national average.

Stephen Haddrill, the ABI’s Director General, said: “Climate change is happening now, and we need to act now to manage it. Flooding is expensive, disruptive and distressing. This report shows that Britain needs a sustained and prolonged investment in coastal flood defences. This investment needs to start now.”
Visit www.abi.org.uk for further details.

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