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Warning over flood clean-up cost Warning over flood clean-up cost
(about 6 hours later)
The cost of cleaning up a property is 30 times greater than the expense of being burgled, according to the Environment Agency. The cost of cleaning up a property after a flood is 30 times greater than the expense of being burgled, according to the Environment Agency.
The organisation, which is launching its national flood awareness scheme, says householders are "in denial" about the risk.The organisation, which is launching its national flood awareness scheme, says householders are "in denial" about the risk.
It says that fewer than one-in-three homeowners have taken steps to identify the risk of flooding.It says that fewer than one-in-three homeowners have taken steps to identify the risk of flooding.
It is also encouraging more people to sign up to its flood warning service.It is also encouraging more people to sign up to its flood warning service.
The Agency has produced figures which show that the average clean-up cost following a flood is more than £28,000, compared to £900 following a burglary.The Agency has produced figures which show that the average clean-up cost following a flood is more than £28,000, compared to £900 following a burglary.
With climate change the likelihood of flooding will increase Barbara Young,Environment Agency The coastal flood threatWith climate change the likelihood of flooding will increase Barbara Young,Environment Agency The coastal flood threat
Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: "As we are now entering the season for more unsettled weather, flooding incidents are on the rise.Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: "As we are now entering the season for more unsettled weather, flooding incidents are on the rise.
"With climate change the likelihood of flooding will increase, and more and more of us are living in the shadow of that threat.""With climate change the likelihood of flooding will increase, and more and more of us are living in the shadow of that threat."
In England and Wales, around 9% of all households are at risk from flooding, with the value of the land and property at risk valued at £237bn.In England and Wales, around 9% of all households are at risk from flooding, with the value of the land and property at risk valued at £237bn.
The annual average bill for cleaning up flood damage is estimated to be £1bn, although the Environment Agency fears that the cost will rise unless homeowners take more interest in knowing the risk of flooding.The annual average bill for cleaning up flood damage is estimated to be £1bn, although the Environment Agency fears that the cost will rise unless homeowners take more interest in knowing the risk of flooding.
And while the Agency acknowledges that little can be done to prevent flooding, householders can receive information to reduce the threat.And while the Agency acknowledges that little can be done to prevent flooding, householders can receive information to reduce the threat.
The Agency's awareness campaign aims to explain its system for issuing flood warnings, and for householders to know what to do when an alert is issued.The Agency's awareness campaign aims to explain its system for issuing flood warnings, and for householders to know what to do when an alert is issued.