25 November 2024
More than half of drivers (55%*) said they weren’t concerned about potential flooding in their area in the week before Storm Bert caused flooding and storm chaos across the UK, according to a poll by The AA. In Wales, hard hit by flooding this weekend, 57% said they weren’t worried about the prospect of flooding.
The survey of more than 11,000 drivers also discovered that a third (36%) felt confident that there are sufficient flood defences to protect local roads. In comparison, more than a fifth (23%) have confidence in the flood defences protecting rural roads, while half have faith that main roads (49%), ‘A roads’ and motorways will be prevented from flooding (51%).
In comparison, three in five (62%) are confident that there are adequate flood defences in place to protect homes.
Percentage of people ‘not worried at all’ at the prospect of flooding by region;
- Northern Ireland 63%
- London 62%
- Yorkshire & Humberside 60%
- Scotland 60%
- North East 60%
- Wales 57%
- North West 57%
- South East 55%
- West Midlands 51%
- Eastern 50%
- South West 50%
- East Midlands 49%
“There are also long term consequences of flooding, especially on local and rural roads where the water can damage road surfaces and the infrastructure lying underneath them.”
Around 150 flood warnings remain in place across England and Wales** following heavy rainfall from Storm Bert caused significant damage to homes, cars and roads. The AA is advising drivers to be careful when driving through standing water, and to check routes before setting off to avoid getting caught out.
Earlier this year, the Met Office warned ministers and the flood resilience taskforce that there was an increased likelihood of floods this autumn and winter***.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “As we have seen across the weekend and today, flooding can cause serious damage and disruption. The randomness of torrential rainfall leading to flood damage perhaps leads people to hope against hope that they are not the next victims. However, particularly with driving, torrential rainfall can be dangerous wherever people travel, not just in areas prone to flooding.
“The images of severely flooded roads only serve as a reminder of the dangers floods can cause in the moment. There are also long term consequences of flooding, especially on local and rural roads where the water can damage road surfaces and the infrastructure lying underneath them.
“The priority for anyone is to remain safe, so checking your route before setting off is key, remain wary of standing water and leave a bigger gap than usual between yourself and the vehicle in front. As well as not being able to judge it’s depth, often things lurking under the surface, such as huge branches and other debris, causes vehicles to come to a halt.”
* Yonder received 11,329 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 12th to 19th November 2024. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
** Live flood map - Check for flooding - GOV.UK (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)
*** UK faces another autumn and winter of flooding, Met Office warns | Flooding | The Guardian