Catherine Moncrieff, Policy & Engagement Manager at CIWEM, says Storm Bert has exposed the urgent need for flood resilience and coastal adaptation – and discusses the cost of inaction and why UK flood preparedness must be a priority.

Catherine Moncrieff: More heavy rain is set to fall in southern England and south Wales this week, adding to the chaos caused by Storm Bert, which has already left homes, roads, and rail networks in disarray. Despite earlier warnings in October from the Environment Agency, urging the public to prepare for floods, the storm’s devastating impact over the weekend claimed at least five lives and exposed serious concerns about the UK’s preparedness for such extreme weather events.

As the country braces for further rainfall, the call for urgent action on flood resilience and climate adaptation grows louder. Storm Bert, which brought widespread devastation and prompted over 160 red flood warnings, is a warning we cannot afford to ignore.

Outdated defences - a ticking timebomb

Climate change is intensifying storms and driving sea-level rise, leaving the UK increasingly exposed to the threats of inland and coastal flooding, and coastal erosion. The EU Climate Change Service's report that global temperatures have exceeded 1.5°C warming for a full year is yet another alarm bell.

An extensive network of flood, coastal and water management infrastructure exists across the UK, much of it built over 50 years ago. Rising sea levels and increased frequency and severity of flooding is placing increasing pressure on this infrastructure. Local authorities and other flood risk management bodies are left with a growing set of rapidly deteriorating assets, a ticking timebomb.

Furthermore, there appears to be no consistent national level understanding of the status and maintenance of this infrastructure. There are fears that when the government’s Flood Resilience Taskforce looks into this, asset condition will be worse than officially categorised.

A call for action

Storm Bert highlights the need for a comprehensive rethink in how we manage water, adapt our coasts, and prepare for the future. This is not just a matter of engineering; it is a societal challenge that requires cross-party political support, transparent public engagement, and bold investment in climate resilience.

If we fail to act now, the costs, both human and economic, will only grow. CIWEM urges the UK Government to adopt a comprehensive, forward-thinking strategy to ensure a safer, more sustainable future for all.

Solutions for a resilient future

While the challenges are immense, so are the opportunities to build resilience:

• Harness land management and natural flood management (NFM) - Restoring wetlands, reforesting catchments, and reconnecting rivers to their floodplains are cost-effective ways to work with nature, reducing flood risks while enhancing biodiversity.
• Invest in flood and coastal defence upgrades and maintenance - Continual investment is the most cost effective and safest approach rather than reactively intervening only when the risk of failing becomes apparent. Fully funded plans are needed to address the large number of legacy flood defences and drainage systems.
• Increase property flood resilience (PFR) - Homeowners and businesses must be equipped with practical tools such as flood barriers and water-resistant materials to reduce the impact of flooding when it does occur.
• Strengthen infrastructure resilience - Public services, including hospitals and schools, need robust flood plans and resilient designs to continue operating in extreme weather.
• Transform urban drainage - Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) must be prioritised to manage surface water, reducing the strain on traditional networks.
• Plan for the future - Climate change projections must inform every aspect of flood risk management, from local planning to national infrastructure investment.

The reality of coastal change

Rising sea levels threaten low-lying areas, and more frequent storms accelerate erosion, endangering both communities and critical infrastructure.

Coastal areas face a particularly precarious future. By 2100, sea levels around the UK could rise by over a metre, putting homes, businesses, and ecosystems at unprecedented risk. The UK’s aging coastal defences, constrained by rigid funding frameworks, are no longer sufficient. Current approaches prioritise holding coastlines rather than helping communities adapt to inevitable changes.

CIWEM calls for immediate, honest conversations about the future of our coasts. We must acknowledge that we cannot hold back the tides indefinitely. Communities need to be empowered to adapt, with the government taking a leadership role in providing flexible funding, supporting robust shoreline management plans, and delivering a national policy framework that ensures a resilient, sustainable coastal future.

The Environment Agency is once again supporting Floodex UK, the leading sector event for the flood risk, sustainable drainage and water level management sector. Floodex takes place alongside the National Drainage Show and Waterways Management Show at ExCel, London on 27 and 28 November 2024. Click here for more information