Flood risk expert calling on government for flood defence funding across Hampshire
Research is finding 93% of Hampshire and Isle of Wight homes haven't taken steps to prepare for floods
A flood risk expert's calling on the government to fund more flood defences as Hampshire and Isle of Wight are found to be at risk of flooding this Autumn and Winter.
It's been found by Nimbus Engineering Consultants Limited that 93% of Hampshire and Isle of Wight homes aren't prepared for floods.
A flood risk expert's calling on the government to introduce more funding to local areas for flood defences.
Sadia Luckett, a flood risk expert and Owner and Director of Nimbus Engineering Consultants Limited, said: "There have been some seriously heavy downpours since the end of this really hot summer.
"Therefore, people will be at risk of flooding depending on what location they're at.
"I feel like home owners are not prepared at all.
"Firstly, people need to see if they're at risk of flooding and if you are, then you need to look at property-based measures.
"If you've got a driveway or hard signing areas that flow towards your building, look at deep paving them, make them gravel.
"That way when the surface water or rain runs down these areas, it's going to get soaked into the ground and not going to get to your property as quick.
"You can get things like self sealing air bricks, flood barriers, also things like waterproofing your ground floor if you live in a home.
"There are lots of measures you can take."
Ms Luckett also added that it's important to raise awareness of the flood risks.
She said: "The government needs to spend more money on flood defences and upsizing the pipe networks.
"Some of the London boroughs are looking at deep paving areas and they're introducing things like rain gardens and softer areas, so there's less runoff going into the pipe.
"There's some examples of great sponge cities and places like Copenhagen where they've drastically reduced the risk of flooding.
"So things can be done, but it needs a lot of people to work together and come up with the ideas."