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'Urgent action' needed on floods 'Urgent action' needed on floods
(9 minutes later)
Planning for flooding should have the same priority as terrorism or flu prevention, the independent reviewer into the summer floods says.Planning for flooding should have the same priority as terrorism or flu prevention, the independent reviewer into the summer floods says.
Sir Michael Pitt also said the public should have been better prepared for the severe floods which damaged thousands of homes in England.Sir Michael Pitt also said the public should have been better prepared for the severe floods which damaged thousands of homes in England.
The interim report urged local government and emergency services to improve their knowledge and practices.The interim report urged local government and emergency services to improve their knowledge and practices.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said he agreed with all the recommendations.Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said he agreed with all the recommendations.
Sir Michael called on the government to take a "broad, strategic role" in ensuring the review's recommendations were introduced, but also to address how it plans for flooding - which is "now such a major issue".Sir Michael called on the government to take a "broad, strategic role" in ensuring the review's recommendations were introduced, but also to address how it plans for flooding - which is "now such a major issue".
"We're trying to raise the priority of flooding, putting it on a level that is somewhat similar to terrorism or pandemic flu.""We're trying to raise the priority of flooding, putting it on a level that is somewhat similar to terrorism or pandemic flu."
READ MORE DETAILS Pitt Review executive summary [37KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD MORE DETAILS Pitt Review executive summary [37KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if flooding was as serious as terrorism, Sir Michael said: "I think it is. It's obviously very different but we want the same levels of performance and reaction that we have with terrorism events."Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if flooding was as serious as terrorism, Sir Michael said: "I think it is. It's obviously very different but we want the same levels of performance and reaction that we have with terrorism events."
Among 87 recommendations, the review called on the public to act more responsibly, for more flood-resilient buildings, and for greater leadership from local authorities.Among 87 recommendations, the review called on the public to act more responsibly, for more flood-resilient buildings, and for greater leadership from local authorities.
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.
Responsibility unclearResponsibility unclear
The review looked at the lessons to be learnt from the floods and highlights a long list of failings.The review looked at the lessons to be learnt from the floods and highlights a long list of failings.
They include: They include:
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  • 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 World War II.
    According to the report, the floods in June and July led to the biggest loss of critical infrastructure since World War II.
    It said flooding is only likely to get worse and society needs to adapt.It said flooding is only likely to get worse and society needs to adapt.
    "We're all facing up to climate change and there are all sorts of implications for the country in terms of having to adapt to that change," Sir Michael said."We're all facing up to climate change and there are all sorts of implications for the country in terms of having to adapt to that change," Sir Michael said.
    Why can't we build proper resilient properties so that if they do flood they can recover very quickly? Sir Michael PittIndependent reviewer into summer floods Send us your commentsWhy can't we build proper resilient properties so that if they do flood they can recover very quickly? Sir Michael PittIndependent reviewer into summer floods Send us your comments
    "As the report explains, during May, June and July this was the highest level of rainfall we've ever recorded in this country since the 18th Century, so understandably there were very high volumes of water and big implications for emergency services.""As the report explains, during May, June and July this was the highest level of rainfall we've ever recorded in this country since the 18th Century, so understandably there were very high volumes of water and big implications for emergency services."
    The drainage systems were overloaded, and there needed to be an urgent review of underwater rescue attempts as there was "ambiguity" surrounding procedures.The drainage systems were overloaded, and there needed to be an urgent review of underwater rescue attempts as there was "ambiguity" surrounding procedures.
    "That needs to be sorted out and that is one of our urgent recommendations."That needs to be sorted out and that is one of our urgent recommendations.
    "We need to make sure that the people who are rescuing in water are properly trained and they have the right equipment," he said."We need to make sure that the people who are rescuing in water are properly trained and they have the right equipment," he said.
    His comment comes days after a coroner highlighted "gaps" in provision for emergency underwater rescues at an inquest into the death of Michael Barnett, who died after his thigh became wedged in a temporary grille on a storm drain as the floods rose in Hull on 25 June.His comment comes days after a coroner highlighted "gaps" in provision for emergency underwater rescues at an inquest into the death of Michael Barnett, who died after his thigh became wedged in a temporary grille on a storm drain as the floods rose in Hull on 25 June.
    No blameNo blame
    However, Sir Michael said: "The report does not point the finger of blame. Anyone looking for that will be disappointed.However, Sir Michael said: "The report does not point the finger of blame. Anyone looking for that will be disappointed.
    "What we've tried to do is look forward and be positive about what can be done in the future.""What we've tried to do is look forward and be positive about what can be done in the future."
    EMERGENCY FLOOD KIT BatteriesRadioTorchMobile phoneRubber glovesCleaning materialsKey personal documents including insurance policyEmergency contact numbers (including local council, emergency services and Floodline - 0845 988 1188)Antibacterial hand gel or wipesFirst aid kitBlanketsEMERGENCY FLOOD KIT BatteriesRadioTorchMobile phoneRubber glovesCleaning materialsKey personal documents including insurance policyEmergency contact numbers (including local council, emergency services and Floodline - 0845 988 1188)Antibacterial hand gel or wipesFirst aid kitBlankets
    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.
    Sir Michael said he was surprised at how little people were prepared for flooding.Sir Michael said he was surprised at how little people were prepared for flooding.
    He urged them to get appropriate insurance and have an emergency kit in their houses, including such items as a radio, batteries, torch and rubber gloves.He urged them to get appropriate insurance and have an emergency kit in their houses, including such items as a radio, batteries, torch and rubber gloves.
    When it came to local responsibility, Sir Michael said local authorities should take a stronger leadership role, including mapping the drainage systems and working with the Environment Agency, local drainage boards, and water companies to get a better understanding of how drainage works.When it came to local responsibility, Sir Michael said local authorities should take a stronger leadership role, including mapping the drainage systems and working with the Environment Agency, local drainage boards, and water companies to get a better understanding of how drainage works.
    Although he personally wanted as little building as possibly on flood plains, Sir Michael acknowledged that with 3 million new houses planned between now and 2020 there was bound to be some construction there.Although he personally wanted as little building as possibly on flood plains, Sir Michael acknowledged that with 3 million new houses planned between now and 2020 there was bound to be some construction there.
    "Where that takes place why can't we build proper resilient properties so that if they do flood they can recover very quickly," he said."Where that takes place why can't we build proper resilient properties so that if they do flood they can recover very quickly," he said.
    Mr Benn said the urgent recommendations - including monitoring of specific flood risks, improving information sharing and the practicalities of emergency response - would be looked at as quickly as possible.Mr Benn said the urgent recommendations - including monitoring of specific flood risks, improving information sharing and the practicalities of emergency response - would be looked at as quickly as possible.
    He repeated that the government had promised funding for flood defences of up to £800m a year by 2011 - an amount criticised as too low by insurers.He repeated that the government had promised funding for flood defences of up to £800m a year by 2011 - an amount criticised as too low by insurers.
    The final report is due for publication next summer.The final report is due for publication next summer.