Study will help predict extreme flooding
The recent devastation caused by extreme flooding in many parts of the UK may soon be forecast better, thanks to a £6m research project to predict flood risk and investigate to what extent climate change is responsible.
Led by the Natural Environment Research Council supported by the University of Salford, the five year Flood Risks from Extreme Events (FREE) programme will examine what causes floods, help to more accurately forecast and quantify flood risk, and inform society about the likely effects of climate change.
The team – which comprises academics from 12 UK universities – will study recent floods such as those in Gloucester and Boscastle. The project steering committee have established a Flood Action Team, with results to be presented to the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Salford University’s Professor Chris Collier said: “At present, flood damage costs the UK about a billion pounds each year. We want to get to the stage where we can use mathematical techniques more reliably to predict floods and prevent the kind of destruction seen recently.
“The group will investigate both meteorological and hydrological aspects of forecasting extreme river and coastal flooding. We will consider both floods that have accumulated over time such as those seen in Gloucester, and ‘flash floods’ that develop rapidly, like the situation in Boscastle.
“It is essential we improve our ability to forecast, quantify and manage flood risks, and mitigate the effects of climate variability and change, if we're to maintain a sustainable economy. Sound environmental science must underpin our efforts.”
