An action plan to help homeowners and businesses prevent damage caused by flooding has been launched by Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham MSP.
Living With Flooding sets out advice to stop or mitigate flooding and says minor adaptions, such as installing a flood guard and raising the height of electrical sockets, can prevent damage or reduce the amount of time spent in temporary accommodation.
Ms Cunningham said:
“Flooding is devastating for those affected, from the initial emotional shock of having possessions or stock destroyed, to the financial strain of leaving your home or closing your business.
“We must be more creative and pragmatic in our approach to adapting to the increased threat that climate change will bring. It is important that we work together to ensure we are more resilient to flooding.
“I hope everyone with a property at risk of flooding will benefit from this action plan.”
Karen Donald from AXA Insurance, Chair of the Property Flood Resilience Delivery Group, said:
“While there continues to be action to help alleviate the effects of flooding, such as flood schemes and urban draining schemes, the responsibility for protecting property rests with the owner.
“This action plan equips homeowners and businesses with information about effective measures that can make a big difference in the event of a flood.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“An estimated 284,000 properties in Scotland are at risk of flooding, including many in North Ayrshire.
“Every year, the SNP Government allocates £42 million to protect communities from flooding.
“The action plan has been developed by the Property Flood Resilience Delivery Group which includes stakeholders from the insurance industry, the Scottish Flood Forum, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), local authorities and businesses.”
Living With Flooding: An Action Plan for Delivering Property Flood Resilience is available to download here.
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