Extreme Weather Adaptation
Climate Change has a significant impact on extreme weather events. Adaptation to extreme weather events is crucial in mitigating those effects. With Huntingdonshire facing increased flooding and extreme Summer temperatures, the effects of Climate Change are affecting Huntingdonshire more each year and taking longer for us to recover from!
Of the 89 risks on the Government’s National Risk Register, eight are extreme weather events, defined as those that are significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern. Government does have mechanisms in place to manage these risks, but a National Audit Office (NAO) report into government resilience in this area has found these could be strengthened.
Recent events, including multiple severe storms, high temperatures, and droughts, highlight the challenges faced by the UK from these risks, while the pandemic underlines the need to improve resilience against future emergencies.
"The UK generally experiences warm summers and cool winters. Only rarely do we face the extremes of heat or cold common in other climates.
But as climate change accelerates, this is changing. The UK is facing more heatwaves, storms and flooding, and even more wildfires than ever before."
Greenpeace: Climate change and extreme weather | Greenpeace UK
Flooding:
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the policy lead for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. New or revised policies are prepared with other parts of government such as the Treasury, the Cabinet Office (for emergency response planning) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (for land-use and planning policy). These national policies are then delivered by Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) which are.
- Environment Agency
- Lead Local Flood Authorities
- District and Borough Councils
- Coast protection authorities
- Water and sewerage companies
- Internal Drainage Boards
- Highways authorities.
Cambridgeshire County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority and is responsible for surface water flooding and groundwater flooding.
The Environment Agency deals with flooding from rivers.
Huntingdonshire District Council are responsible for maintaining some watercourses!
You can find further information on the HDC website, here.
Local Flood Groups:
Read about the benefits of a Community flood Action Group here - Community | The Flood Hub. If you’re interested in joining or starting a flood group, with support from the council, email emergency.planning@huntingdonshire.gov.uk.
Alconbury Brook Flood Action Group
Broughton Village Flood Action Group
Houghton & Wyton Flood Action Group
St Neots Flood Action Group (FLAG) & St Neots Drain Watch | Facebook
Cambridgeshire County Council - Flood Reporting Tool
What to do in extreme heat?
- Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Hot weather and health: guidance and advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Animal Welfare in Summer - Seasonal Advice | RSPCA
Extreme weather for farmers and land owners:
You can find out more information and download resources about how woodland management can help with adaptation on the Forest Research Climate Change Hub!
