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Country 'ill-prepared' for floods Country 'ill-prepared' for floods
(about 4 hours later)
An independent review into floods which damaged thousands of homes in England in the summer has concluded the country should have been better prepared.An independent review into floods which damaged thousands of homes in England in the summer has concluded the country should have been better prepared.
A preliminary report, to be published later, will call on the government and Environment Agency to take urgent action to prevent a repeat.A preliminary report, to be published later, will call on the government and Environment Agency to take urgent action to prevent a repeat.
It is also expected to say the public should have acted more responsibly.It is also expected to say the public should have acted more responsibly.
Yorkshire, Hull and Gloucestershire, where 140,000 homes were left without water, were among the areas worst hit.Yorkshire, Hull and Gloucestershire, where 140,000 homes were left without water, were among the areas worst hit.
'Warnings ignored''Warnings ignored'
The report, led by Sir Michael Pitt, chairman of the South West Strategic Health Authority, looked at the lessons to be learnt from the floods and highlights a long list of failings.The report, led by Sir Michael Pitt, chairman of the South West Strategic Health Authority, looked at the lessons to be learnt from the floods and highlights a long list of failings.
They include:They include:
  • no national flood emergency plan
  • no national flood emergency plan
  • no clear responsibility for dealing with urban flooding
  • no clear responsibility for dealing with urban flooding
  • no systematic stockpiling of emergency equipment, such as boats.
  • no systematic stockpiling of emergency equipment, such as boats.
    According to the report, the floods in June and July led to the biggest loss of critical infrastructure since the Second World War. According to the report, the floods in June and July led to the biggest loss of critical infrastructure since World War II.
    It will say flooding is only likely to get worse and society needs to adapt.It will say flooding is only likely to get worse and society needs to adapt.
    The public must be better prepared for such events and act responsibly, it will say, as too few signed up for flood warnings and some ignored warnings they were given.The public must be better prepared for such events and act responsibly, it will say, as too few signed up for flood warnings and some ignored warnings they were given.
    The final report is due for publication next summer.The final report is due for publication next summer.