Water's Edge: British Red Cross research on flood preparedness

Our research

In producing this report, we listened to people with direct personal experience of being flooded and of socio-economic deprivation in four recently flood-affected sites across the UK; in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England.

We also spoke to individuals with detailed knowledge of how an area or community as a whole was affected. We drew conclusions and recommendations from the common experiences across the four sites.

Findings and recommendations

1. "We had no warning we were due to be flooded… it wasn’t something we were even considering.”
   
   Most participants were completely unprepared for floods and didn’t recognise official guidance on how to prepare.
   
   We want to see the UK’s approach to public preparedness transformed, making sure people are aware of and prepared for floods, by sharing locally relevant information through trusted local sources like community leaders, schools and local organisations.
   
   
2. “We were in a B&B for eight weeks. A small room with a double bed for me and my partner and two single beds for the kids. Along with a cat, it was a very stressful environment.”
   
   
   People suffered from months of displacement, often in unsuitable accommodation.
   
   We want to see better protection of low-income rental homes – especially social housing – from flooding, and more accessible ways for people to protect their own homes so they aren’t forced to leave them.
   
3. “I didn’t know there were resources and schemes from the government to help with flooding.”
   
   Flood recovery grants were often difficult to access and many people only heard about them through word of mouth.
   
   We want flood recovery grants to be more accessible. This can be done by simplifying application processes, widening eligibility criteria and working with local partners to tell affected communities about them.
   
   
4. “It was the hardest eight months in my life... I remember when I was going to work, driving to work, and I was just crying.”
    
   Almost everyone saw a significant impact to their mental health. The emotional toll, from having to leave homes to the loss of treasured belongings, is profound and long-lasting.
   
   We want to see more local partnerships for surging peer-based mental health support in the aftermath of flooding.
   
   
5. “While there are sandbags available at the community hall, many people cannot afford more expensive prevention measures like shutters.”
    
   There’s a strong link between socio-economic disadvantage and being more vulnerable to negative impacts of flooding.
   
   We want to see communities who are more vulnerable given greater priority in government flood risk management spending.

Even through all of the trauma and heartache, we still saw strength. Neighbours helping neighbours, communities pulling together, and local organisations stepping up to play vital support roles.

Severe weather may be inevitable. Leaving people behind is not.