New Flood Re research: Brits “sleepwalking into flood risk”
Flood Re will be launching new consumer research that points to a growing – and largely overlooked – contributor to flood risk in the UK: how we design our own gardens.
The topline is a simple but striking one. Millions of homeowners may be inadvertently increasing their exposure to surface water flooding by paving over green space – at precisely the moment when heavier, more intense rainfall is becoming the norm.
What’s particularly concerning is the disconnect between perception and reality. Early findings suggest that most households are confident that their gardens can cope with heavy rain, yet a significant proportion are unaware that hard surfacing can materially increase runoff and pressure on already stretched drainage systems.
Set against a backdrop of rising repair costs (now exceeding £30,000) and more frequent downpours, it paints a picture of a risk that is building quietly and in plain sight.
Flood Re will be bringing this to life at Chelsea through its “Flood Re: Contain the Rain” garden, alongside a broader call to action for homeowners to see their outdoor spaces not just as aesthetic choices, but as part of the UK’s frontline flood resilience.