Not everyone is online and not everyone watches or reads the mainstream media. You can’t blame people for switching off the vast flow of information that is broadcast at us these days. But here’s a new way to find out more regarding flood defence prep and recovery after an incident, from North of the Border.
Flood Re and the Scottish Flood Forum will unveil a brand-new Flood Bus in Edinburgh next week as part of a Scotland-wide initiative to promote property-level flood resilience and help communities better prepare for future flooding events.
The new demonstration vehicle will be launched at the annual Scottish Flood Resilience conference (28-29 January) run by Sniffer, an environmental knowledge broker. Flood Re’s interim CEO Stuart Logue will also be speaking at the conference on innovative approaches to building flood resilience.
The new Flood Bus, named Flo, has been specially designed to promote Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures and Build Back Better (BBB) repairs to brokers, insurers, claims service providers, flood risk management professionals, specialist suppliers, builders and individuals and communities at flood risk.
Following the conference, the vehicle will support engagement with flood resilience groups in the Perth area as part of the local museum’s Water’s Rising exhibition, before going on the road from mid-March visiting flood risk communities, supporting Scottish Flood Forum initiatives, and regional flood resilience events.
In addition to showcasing resistance measures and resilient repairs, Flo provides information on how to prepare for flooding, case-studies highlighting the difference even small investments can make in the event of flood, details of Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme and information for professionals on the Ciria PFR Code of Practice and CIWEM accredited PFR training.
The unveiling of Flo comes at a critical time: as of Q3 2024, there were 17,829 insurance policies ceded to Flood Re in Scotland, highlighting both the significant impact of flooding and the crucial role of the Flood Re scheme in supporting affected households. As flooding continues to challenge communities across Scotland, Flood Re’s Flo will serve as a vital resource in bridging the gap between awareness and action, empowering people to better protect their homes and futures.
Stuart Logue, Interim CEO, Flood Re, commented:
“Flood resilience isn’t just a technical term – it’s a lifeline for communities. We know from experience that physical demonstration of Property Flood Resilience measures plays an important role in driving action in the implementation of important measures. The Flood Bus will bring greater understanding and insight into how modifications and design changes can significantly reduce the impact, and cost of, flooding on households. Flo, which has a host of physical PFR measures installed, also provides visitors with an immersive VR experience, enabling them to walk through a home adapted with PFR and to visit Flood Re’s Flood Resilient Garden.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the impact the Flood Bus will have on the take up of PFR in Scotland, bringing education about flood resilience, adaptation and Build Back Better directly to those communities most at risk.”
Carol Raeburn, Director of the Scottish Flood Forum, commented:
“We are delighted that Flo is joining our family and she will be a key tool in helping our flood risk communities understand how they can prepare for flooding – both in keeping water out and in having resilience should water enter the property. The Flood Bus will also be an important means to raise awareness of flood resilience to the suppliers and trades that support our clients; and build awareness and understanding of the Build Back Better initiative which is such an important step in mainstreaming resilient repairs with the insurance industry.”
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