24-Aug-2006
- The Environment Agency is encouraging those
who were affected by the floods that hit the north
west Surrey area on 13 and 14 August to provide
information about what happened.
More than 80mm - roughly double
the total monthly average - fell on the area in
just a few hours on 13 August, causing flooding
in the Chobham, Windlesham, West End and Ash areas.
Current reports suggest that at least 60 properties
were flooded, while a number of road and rail
closures caused chaos to morning commuters.
The Environment Agency has written
to residents and businesses this week to ask them
to provide information about what happened which
could help improve flood warning systems and defences
in the future.
The survey will also enable
the Environment Agency to update its records and
increase the accuracy of its flood maps.
"We already have a good
understanding of what happened during the floods,
but any extra information people supply to us
will supplement our own data and would be extremely
useful," Emma Formoy, Flood Risk Mapping
and Data Management Team Leader said.
"Flooding is not an exact
science, with each flood event being unique in
itself, but the more information and understanding
we have the better able we are to anticipate and
manage flood risk in the future.”
The Environment Agency has sent
650 letters to people and businesses in the areas
affected by the floods. The letter invites people
to fill out a survey which asks how they their
property was flooded and, if so, to what degree
and at what time. The Environment Agency is also
interested to hear from people whose gardens were
flooded.
"Living in the floodplain
is never without risk, so we urge all those living
and working in the floodplain to telephone Floodline
on 0845 988 1188, and make sure they have a flood
plan in place. Such preparations can help minimise
the impact and damage which flooding can cause,"
Ms Formoy added.
Chris Mitchell
