Reading is among the top 20 UK cities where residents are most worried about flooding, new research has revealed.
According to Google data gathered by Howden Insurance, Reading ranks 12th in the country for residents’ fears around flood damage to homes and properties
The research analysed nationwide monthly Google keyword volumes for flood-related terms to determine which cities are the most concerned about flooding and the recent increased rainfall. The study examined the number of searches on 16 flood-related terms across 12 months.
A spokesperson for Howden Insurance said: “With many UK residents feeling the increased rainfall in February, some will be looking for the best way to protect their homes, such as adding flood barriers to doorways or using air brick covers to prevent water entering the home through ventilation.”
With February being confirmed as the wettest on record – with 209 fluvial flood alerts, 43 flood warnings and 20 groundwater flood alerts issued – more residents than ever are starting to worry about flooding and the damage it can cause to property.
On average residents in the UK search for flood-related terms 179 times a month per 100,000 residents. Reading residents search 341 times for information on flooding every month per 100,000 people.
“Residents have experienced many devastating floods, so it is natural that they would be searching for ways to improve the flood defences on their homes the most,” adds the spokesperson. “It is always advisable, wherever in the UK you live, to know about the flood risks in your local area.”
Loughborough was the top city for flooding concerns – with 509 searches a month per 100,000 residents – closely followed by Lincoln and Derby. Glasgow, meanwhile, was revealed as the city least concerned about flooding, with residents only searching 49 times a month per 100,000.
Readers worried about flooding can visit check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk to find the latest information their local area.
