Who and What is Effected by Flooding?
Flooding can affect us all and have a wide range of impacts, such as:
- Risk to life, e.g., drowning, hypothermia or impact of floating debris
- Health, e.g., sickness from contaminated floodwaters and injury from floating debris
- Stress, e.g., depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder that may arise after severe flooding
- Damage to homes from floodwaters, including damage to the structure of buildings, contents and possessions and loss of valued personal items
Damages to shops, businesses and industry, including direct damage to stock, plant, and equipment, as well as interruption to business and possible loss
of profits or insolvency
Risk of refused insurance cover or increased premiums or excesses
Environmental damage arising from pollution from contaminated floodwaters or flooding of habitats
- Loss of our cultural heritage through damage to national monuments, listed buildings, places of interest, art, etc. from flooding
- Damage to our transport infrastructure, with associated repair costs
- Disruption to travel or inability to access properties because of flooded roads
- Interrupted supply of electricity, drinking water, gas and other utility supplies
The effects of flooding can be devastating, can include long-term personal problems as well as the immediate cost and trauma, and can effect anyone.
Be aware and be prepared (www.flooding.ie).