Myth 1: My home has never flooded before so I'm not at risk
WRONG Just because your home hasn't flooded before doesn't mean it couldn't flood in the future. A flood with a 1% (1 in 100) or 0.1% (1 in 1000) chance of happening in any one year may well not occur within the space of 50 years. There is a 50% chance that it will happen in a period of 70 years and a 20% chance of it happening in a period of 20 years.
Climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme weather and flooding incidents, putting more of us at risk and changing this frequency.
Myth 2: I don't live anywhere near the coast or a river so I can't flood
WRONG Whilst living near the coast or by a river puts you at greater risk of flooding that's not to say that you're safe if you live a long way from an obvious water source. Floods can occur from drains, sewers, ditches and groundwaters rising up to the surface and overland flow.
Flood flows follow the natural contours of the ground - therefore the area that may flood could be some distance from a river. Alternatively there may be underground watercourses near to your property which you are not aware of - during a flood these may not be able to carry all of the flood flow, and some water will flow above ground.
Also, two thirds of the properties flooded in summer 2007 were affected by surface water flooding - where drainage systems were unable to cope with intense rainfall or the water that ran off hillsides into houses.
Myth 3: Floods are avoidable
WRONG Floods are a natural event that cannot be completely prevented, particularly with climate change increasing the likelihood of intense rainfall. The Environment Agency does what it can to minimise the risk and in 2006/7 spent £162 million building new defences and £176 million maintaining existing ones.
However, we all need to be aware of the potential risks to our property from river and sea flooding and find out whether we are at risk by using the online postcode checker on the Environment Agency website. We also need to make sure we understand flood warning codes and know what to do before, during and after a flood.
Myth 4: I live on a hill so my home must be safe from flooding
WRONG If you live right at the top of a hill then your home probably is safe but properties lower down the hillside are at risk of surface water flooding from above. This type of localised flooding mainly happens when the ground cannot absorb any more water in a particular area, or if sewers and underground drains become blocked or cannot cope with the excess water trying to drain into them.
Myth 5: It's obvious when my home is at risk so I don't need a warning
WRONG By the time river levels start to rise, it can be too late to take the necessary steps to protect your home and possessions from flooding.
