What Are Flood Warning & Evacuation Plans (FWEPs)?

What Is a Flood Warning & Evacuation Plan?

A Flood Warning & Evacuation Plan (FWEP), also known as a Flood Response Evacuation Plan, is a document which provides site-specific actions to take in preparation for and during a flood event.

Its aim is to reduce the risk of life, mitigate damage, and enable a safe and orderly evacuation of site users during a flood.

This aim is achieved by:

• Raising awareness of the flood risk to the site
• Providing information on the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service (if applicable) and flood lead in times
• Detailing how the Plan is triggered, who is responsible for participating in the Plan, and how to disseminate flood warning information among site users
• Establishing safe access and egress routes to a safe refuge location
• Providing information on alternative safe refuge within the site, should evacuation not be possible
• Establishing procedures for implementing and maintaining the plan

When Is a Flood Warning & Evacuation Plan Required?

The NPPF states that applicants must provide evidence to show that the proposed development would be safe and that the residual flood risk can be overcome to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority and the Environment Agency.

Therefore, a flood evacuation plan is typically requested when a site is shown to be at residual risk of flooding that is not mitigated by the site’s flood mitigation strategy.

A FWEP is also required for more vulnerable sites — typically those “used for holiday or short-let caravans and camping” or “essential ancillary sleeping or residential accommodation for staff” in water-compatible development.

Who Is Responsible For Approving A FWEP?

It is the responsibility of the Local Planning Authority to review and approve the Flood Evacuation Plan.

The Environment Agency does not comment on the acceptability of Flood Evacuation Plans, and there is no statutory requirement for them to do so.

How Do You Prepare A FWEP?

A flood warning & evacuation plan needs to take into account:

• The warnings that might be available, including lead time
• The safest way to leave a site, the route that should be taken and where you need to go
• The occupant risk profile, the water depth, velocity, and hazard, as well as the more regional context regarding safe egress potential

This can be difficult to produce accurately and often requires more than a single option or procedure.