Storm Bert and Property Flood Resilience

Storm Bert 2024

Between 23rd and 25th November 2024, Storm Bert resulted in extreme rainfall and strong winds across the UK. According to the Met Office, provisional statistics show White Barrow in Devon saw the highest rainfall accumulation, with 175.7mm between midnight on 23 November and midnight 25 November. Treherbert, Tyn-Y-Waun in South Wales recorded 171.6mm at a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauge over the same period. Strong winds were also recorded with 82mph recorded at Capel Curig in Gwynedd.

The Impact of Extreme Weather Conditions

The significant impacts of the extreme weather conditions have been seen across much of the country, with videos of walls collapsing resulting in sudden onsets of flooding, highways becoming completely submerged by fast-flowing water, and mobile home and holiday parks being completely inundated.

Flooding can cause a significant risk to life and property and therefore with climate change, the need to act to protect people’s homes and livelihoods is becoming even more important.

The Met Office also state: “Tragically, high intensity rainfall events like those seen with Storm Bert are becoming more common as our atmosphere warms due to human-induced climate change.”

Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Surveys

At Aegaea, we specialise in supporting homeowners with PFR Surveys. This involves an assessment of the flood risk to the property from a range of sources, identifying potential ingress points or weaknesses, and recommending measures that could be installed to help protect the property from flooding.

We often support property owners who have flooded and are therefore seeking to reactively protect their property from future flooding. However, it is incredibly important to proactively seek PFR measures to protect against that first flood.

We undertake our reports in accordance with the Code of Practice for Property Flood Resilience published by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA). There are 6 standards of good practice which relate to Property Flood Resilience in accordance with British Standard 85118.

It is important to ensure your PFR surveyor has the correct industry standard accreditations. Aegaea has a team of experts who have undertaken the Property Flood Resilience Industry Training provided by CIWEM in accordance with British Standard 85118 and CIRIA C790. Aegaea are listed as appropriately qualified PFR surveyors with Warwickshire, Suffolk, and Leicestershire County Councils. With a fully remote team across the UK, we are able to offer PFR Survey services across the entire country.