Environment Agency

New flood maps show fewer people "at risk"

New flood maps issued by the environment agency show that less people in Devon and around England are now being classed as ‘at risk’ of flooding.

The maps, from the Environment Agency, show areas of the country at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea and help communities and businesses protect their properties from flooding.

The new maps, as well as providing a vital...

Environment Agency helps communities 'bounce back' from winter floods

Many of the communities devastated by last winter's floods are now much better prepared thanks to a dedicated team of Agency officers who have been out and about helping people develop greater flood resilience.

Two villages that have benefited from their support and advice are Roadwater and Washford near Minehead, Somerset where nearly 20 properties flooded in November 2012. Both...

Floods cost UK economy nearly £600 million

One year on from some of the worst flooding in 2012, latest research by the Environment Agency reveals that last year’s record-breaking wet year in England could have cost the UK economy close to £600 million.

The overall financial cost to businesses of the extreme weather was up to £200 million as total commercial property and contents damage totalled up to £84 million, and further...

New rapid response vehicles to tackle large-scale fuel and chemical spills

Devon will be getting its first specialised pollution protection vehicle next week (22 October).

The vehicle, known as an Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), is specially equipped to handle a number of environmental emergencies such as fuel and chemical spills.

It is the first of four Mercedes Sprinter vehicles to be unveiled by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service and...

New flood risk guidance will help solicitors protect clients

The Law Society of England and Wales has produced a practice note to help solicitors protect clients from flood risk, increasingly a concern for those owning or occupying property and those looking to buy property in flood prone areas.

The Environment Agency estimates that one in six homes in England are at risk from flooding with land increasingly at risk from different types of...

Environment Agency reviews Hemerdon Mine permits

The Environment Agency has today received two applications for environmental permits at Hemerdon Mine, Devon.

Wolf Minerals Ltd have applied to carry out a mining waste operation at their site near Plympton, which is one of the largest tungsten and tin reserves in the world. The Agency has also received an associated application for a water quality permit.

The Environment...

Met Office forecasts more heavy rain

After a brief respite from the severe rain and wind earlier in the week, the Met Office is forecasting more heavy showers for Friday across Devon and Cornwall.

The Met Office have issued a yellow warning of rain and says that conditions "could lead to localised flooding and standing water on roads", though it also says "some locations are likely to miss the showers completely"....

Do you want to make a difference to flood risk in the South West?

Over five million people are at risk from the devastating effects of flooding in the UK, with thousands of properties at risk in the South West. And the Environment Agency is looking for enthusiastic people to advise on the management of flood risk throughout the South West and make a real difference to people’s lives and to the environment we live in.

The Agency is looking for people...

Local flood defence schemes receive cash boost

Local flood defence schemes across the South West have received a boost of £721,000 after the Environment Agency’s South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) agreed to increase funding by 20 per cent.

The Committee, which is made up of local authority representatives from across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, agreed to contribute £721,000 to reduce flood risk in...

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