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Last Updated: Thursday, 8 November 2007, 23:59 GMT
The flood threat to England and Wales
Coastal areas are facing an increasing threat of flooding, according to environmentalists and other scientists.


There are a number of areas in England and Wales - detailed in the above map - considered to face an ongoing susceptibility to flooding by the Environment Agency.


Graphic showing likely course of storm surge around the UK
Prevailing SW winds carry depression to NW Scotland
"Mean" current forces surge to right of wind direction
If low also moves east, surge is forced southwards
Shallower seabed means surge elevations higher in southern parts of North Sea

The map shows the extent to which those areas are likely to flood from overflowing rivers and exceptionally high seas if no defences are in place.

And it also highlights the cities that scientists believe are most at risk from New Orleans-style flooding - Cardiff, Hull and Portsmouth.

They would be most at risk during the particularly high tides known as spring tides, which occur throughout the year and are governed by the gravitational pulls of the Sun and Moon.

Storm surge

The Environment Agency says problems are likely only if an unusual combination of events - strong winds, extremely low pressure and a storm surge - occurred during the high tides.

The storm surge is considered the catalyst for this exceptional scenario.



Graphic showing how a storm surge can cause flooding
Powerful winds push water towards coast

Flooding 'may put lives at risk'
08 Nov 07 |  England
Flood threat puts Britain at risk
23 Aug 06 |  Science/Nature
Record tide 'raises flood risk'
21 Aug 06 |  England
County preparing for high tides
02 Aug 06 |  Norfolk
Horror of the floods undimmed
23 Jan 03 |  England
Animated guide: Hurricanes
01 Jun 05 |  Science/Nature


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