Downpours cost £3bn, says agency

Some of the wettest weather in modern times flooded more than 55,000 properties, cost £3bn, saw the highest river levels in 60 years and involved the greatest number of search and rescue missions in the country since 1945, the Environment Agency said yesterday in its review of the summer floods.

"The extreme flooding showed just how poorly protected much of our public infrastructure is - and water and electricity supplies were particularly vulnerable. Two-thirds of the properties flooded during summer were damaged because drains and sewers were overwhelmed," said Sir John Harman, chair of the agency.

He urged the government to increase flood protection funding for many more years because climate change would inevitably bring more frequent and serious storms and floods.

The report recommended that much broader warnings be given to householders and businesses. "Warnings for surface water flooding are likely to be technically challenging and costly, but we should examine with the Met Office whether they can be provided," Sir John said.

The review also recommended that the government help the agency to sign up more people to receive warnings. At present only 276,000, fewer than half those in danger zones, are contacted before severe weather.

The agency urged the government to rationalise the roles of the many organisations which have responsibility for floods but which often do not work together.

Heavy rains were last night battering Wales and the Midlands. Thirty flood watch warnings were in place on rivers in north Wales, the Midlands and the south-west.