Be flood aware this Christmas
People who are set to be away for the festive period are urged to check the flood risk for their local area and, if necessary, take steps to protect valuable items left at home.
Drivers are also urged to check the latest flood updates ahead of their journey - and urged not to drive through dangerous floodwater.
The warning comes after a joint Environment Agency and AA survey found more than half (54%) of UK drivers - around 18million drivers - would endanger themselves and their vehicles by driving through moving flood water.
The research of 21,165 AA members, carried out by Populus*, also revealed that more than a quarter (27%) of respondents would drive through moving flood water deeper than 30cm, which is enough to move a car.
The Environment Agency and the AA strongly advise not entering flood water that is moving or more than 10cm deep.
A third of flood-related deaths involve a vehicle because drivers take unnecessary risks and last year, the second wettest on record in the UK, claimed the lives of several motorists.In the same period, the AA rescued almost 9,000 vehicles that had driven through or were stuck in flood water, with an estimated insurance bill of more than £34 million.
David Jordan, Director of Operations at the Environment Agency, said: “Tragically people die because they’ve taken risks and attempted to drive through flood water just to save a few minutes. Flood water is dangerous.
"If there is widespread flooding in your area then don’t travel and if a road is closed then turn around and make a detour. Your journey could take you a little longer but making the right decision could ultimately save your life.
“Unsettled weather is set to continue throughout the Christmas period, with heavy rain and wind affecting many parts of England, so people should check the flood forecast on the Environment Agency website to help plan - and sign up to flood warnings.”
Darron Burness, head of the AA’s flood rescue team, said: "The 9,000 vehicles driven into flood water that the AA attended last year tell only half the story. There are thousands of other drivers who, perhaps unwittingly, came so close to coming a cropper.
Three-quarters of cars that get stuck are written-off as it only takes a tiny amount of ingested water to wreck the engine. You're also putting yourself at risk as flood water can mask all manner of hazards, for example open manholes, and just one foot or 30 centimetres of moving water can float your car.
"Moving flood water, particularly, is powerful, relentless and deceptively dangerous, so just stay out."Throughout the festive period, Environment Agency teams will be out checking flood defences, monitoring river levels and supporting local authorities who will respond to any reports of surface water flooding.
People are encouraged to check the Environment Agency website for the latest flood information, follow #floodaware on Twitter and sign up to free flood warnings.
