Case study
As flood risk increases due to climate change, it is vital communities are supported in efforts to enhance their resilience. While it isn’t feasible to provide flood risk management schemes for everyone at significant flood risk, PFR offers a much needed and cost-effective alternative to communities to manage residual risk or would otherwise remain at flood risk. However, once a scheme has been completed, there is often a lack of feedback on how the community responded during a flood event, or how effective the PFR measures were in order to inform the delivery of future schemes.
This commission recognised how this missing effectiveness component of PFR has been addressed, through effective engagement with the local community of Beale’s Corner in Bewdley. JBA Consulting were appointed by the Environment Agency (in May 2022) to assess how the PFR scheme performed during a series of recent flood events, highlighting best practice, innovation and lessons learnt for the benefit of the local community, as well as on a national level. The study involved extensive collaborative working across a range of local organisations involved in supporting effective incident response and recovery.
Background
In 2013, the Environment Agency (EA) proposed PFR as a viable option for enhancing flood protection to properties on the River Severn left bank in Bewdley, increasing the standard of protection offered and the number of properties that could benefit.
In 2014, the EA appointed JBA Consulting to carry out independent PFR surveys at 44 properties in Bewdley and in 2017, Watertight International were appointed to design and install the appropriate measures.
The measures installed at many properties were tested during flood events in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Following the most recent event in February 2022, the EA commissioned JBA Consulting to undertake post-installation effectiveness investigations at the 44 properties where PFR had been provided. These investigations also aimed to understand the level of ongoing preparedness and resilience within the community.
Both the EA and JBA are keen to understand the performance and return on financial investment to help improve future PFR schemes.
Data collection
All 44 properties were invited to participate in the investigations and a total of 23 responded directly through onsite visits, completing questionnaires or telephone interviews. Partial information was also supplied for 10 properties via Wyre Forest District Council. From the 33 properties to provide information, 29 were identified to have required their PFR measures during the February 2022 event. The data collected included flood history, the condition, performance, maintenance and storage of the PFR measures provided through the scheme, and details on the levels of resilience and preparedness in the community.
Performance of PFR measures
When asked if the PFR measures reduced the impact of flooding to their property, 28 out of 29 (97%) provided a positive response.
Of those 28 properties, 8 reported that water did not enter the property at all due to the presence of PFR measures. 14 reported that PFR reduced floodwater ingress and 5 reported that their measures were eventually overtopped during the February 2022 flood event.
Following the frequent flooding, a number of property owners reported that they had made changes or enhancements to the PFR measures provided (particularly increasing pumps and capacity) and some have also adapted their properties to become more resilient. This illustrates the importance of continually learning after each flood event, to ensure the property and occupants are as prepared as possible.
The investigation identified that where PFR measures were required and deployed during the February 2022 event, 97% of residents reported a successful and positive response.
Analysis showed a clear correlation between increased confidence that PFR measures have reduced the impact of flooding and a reduction in worry, stress and anxiety.
The report highlights a series of recommendations that have been shared and welcomed with partners. These recommendations were also explored further at engagement events involving the local community.
To improve future flood resilience, it is recommended that community flood preparedness exercises are run regularly for all properties benefitting from the PFR scheme by the Flood Group, with support from the Environment Agency, Police Support Officer teams and the Local Authority.
The review also highlighted the need for improved pump standards to enhance national delivery and how collaborative working across a range of local organisations and RMAs can positively impact the resilience of a community. Effectiveness surveys will also now be included as a new option within the next EA PFR Framework scope to assess performance after future floods.
As flood risk increases due to climate change, it is vital communities are supported in efforts to enhance their resilience. PFR offers a much needed, cost-effective alternative for communities where standard flood management schemes are unviable. However, once a scheme has completed, there is often a lack of feedback on community response during a flood event, or how effective the PFR measures were.
This missing component of PFR has been addressed through effective engagement with the local community of Beale’s Corner in Bewdley. JBA Consulting were appointed by the Environment Agency to assess how the PFR scheme performed during recent flood events. Best practice, innovation and lessons learnt were highlighted for the benefit of the local community, as well as on a national level. The study involved extensive collaborative working across a range of local incident response and recovery organisations.
The study confirmed that 97% of property owners reported their PFR successfully helped mitigate the impacts and stress caused by flooding. Recommendations have been shared and welcomed with partners. Effectiveness surveys will also now be included as a new option within the next EA PFR Framework scope, to assess performance after future floods and inform the delivery of future schemes.
Being prepared for potential flooding is an important element of being flood resilient as it leads to approaches to use PFR measures. It’s about understanding your flood risk, now and for the future.
