Pluvial (rain-related) flooding in urban areas: the invisible hazard

A study by Donald Houston, Alan Werritty, David Bassett, Alistair Geddes, Andrew Hoolachan and Marion McMillan (University of St Andrews, University of Dundee and JBA Consulting) published by Joseph Rowntree Foundation

What is pluvial flooding and who’s at risk?

This study assesses how many people in urban areas are at risk from “pluvial” flooding – surface water accumulating from the result of intense rainfall. It also explores how socially deprived areas are at slightly higher risk of pluvial flooding.

The report:

• explores existing knowledge around flooding and how it has moved up the policy agenda in recent years;
• outlines the risks posed by flooding;
• examines who are vulnerable, and the proportion of the urban population living in risky areas, such as those at street level or below;
• shows how national population growth has the potential to put around three times more people at risk from pluvial flooding by 2050 than climate change; and
• concludes that adaptation responses need to be developed at local levels, and that local authorities have a pivotal role to play in leading on surface water management.

Summary (PDF 4pp) and full report (PDF 96pp)

---