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Homeowners advised about flood damage limitation

10/10/06

Homeowners have been given advice on coping with the increased risk of flooding this autumn, which could potentially save them from having to make a costly home insurance claim.
 
A report from the Environment Agency predicts that this year could see the highest tides in over two decades, meaning some coastal defences could be overwhelmed in the event of a storm.
 
In particular, it is thought that south-east England is at a particularly high-risk of flooding, with Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex all pinpointed as areas of concern.
 
Floodwater can potentially damage both the foundations of a house and the contents within, so homeowners in these counties may wish to review their building insurance and home contents insurance cover.
 
Home insurance provider Lloyds TSB Insurance has now compiled the guide Calm Before the Storm to suggest preventative measures that could minimise flood damage.
 
For instance, it is recommended that homeowners move electrical items upstairs or raise them off the ground with bricks, while it is also suggested that people unplug electrical appliances and shut down the electricity supply if floodwater starts seeping in.
 
Garry Hurry, a spokesman for Lloyds TSB Insurance, said: "Burying your head in the sand is no defence against the very real threat of serious flooding."
 
"Thinking ahead and devising a plan to help reduce the risk can help homeowners minimise any potential disruption. Our new guide is essential reading for anyone who wants to prepare for the worst case scenario."
 
In recent weeks, the issue of severe residential flooding has received mainstream exposure on the big screen.
 
An Inconvenient Truth, a documentary film featuring former US politician Al Gore, presents rising sea levels as part of the wider problem of climate change.
 
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