“Communities are central to coastal management”

That’s the headline from one section of the Summer 2009 edition of Floodnews, a quarterly business briefing for professionals whose work is affected by flood and coastal erosion issues.

‘People in coastal communities have homes and businesses that they cherish. Living by the sea is part of their identity; for many it has been a defining characteristic of their family life for generations.

‘Flood risk and erosion, and their increasing threats, are emotionally tough. It strikes at the heart of personal happiness, lives and futures. Our work to consult and communicate with these communities needs to be at its very best. We are here to give them and local authorities every support we can.’ (North West Flood and Coastal Risk Manager Pete Fox)

---

Rising to the challenge

In England and Wales today, there are over five million people and 2.7 million properties at risk from river and coastal flooding.

The figures contained in our latest National Flood Risk Assessment make sobering reading. It’s clear the country faces an enormous challenge.

Yet we are in a better position than ever to meet that challenge head-on. Working together, each playing our part, we can seize the opportunity to make real and lasting differences to people’s lives.

This edition of Floodnews is full of information that will help us all to start making those differences. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Best regards,
Robert Runcie
Director of Flood and Coastal Risk Management Environment Agency

Other information in the edition includes:

• New publication reveals England’s flood risk
• The Flood and Water Management Bill
  
• Helping homeowners to help themselves
  
• Breaking new ground in surface water management
  
• Communities are central to coastal management
• New Flood Forecasting Centre goes live

Access Floodnews from the Environment Agency website