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Workshop to tackle flooding impact issues

21/04/2008
Professor David Proverbs is the chief investigator of Floodrepair.Net research project, which has established an international forum involving the major stakeholders in the repair, reinstatement and resilience of flood-damaged property.
 
Next month’s workshop will focus on the experiences of home occupiers and businesses during and after a flood event and will emphasise how to minimise disruption by the adoption of good practices.
 
The keynote speech will be given by the Chief Executive of the National Flood Forum, Mrs Mary Dhonau, and other expert speakers include representatives from Emergency Planning, local flood action groups and the Environment Agency.
 
This is the latest in a series of events organised by the Flood Repair Network as part of a three-year Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council-funded initiative.
 
Professor Proverbs said the stress and emotional turmoil caused by a flood and its aftermath could have significant effects on the health and wellbeing of those affected.
 
Loss of personal belongings, the effects of living in temporary accommodation while repairs are undertaken, and the trauma of the clean-up could result in physical and psychological health-related issues, he said.
 
“After the major flood events of recent years there has been much criticism of the flood repair service including the main stakeholders, such as insurers, damage management contractors and loss adjusters, “ said Professor Proverbs.
 
“Much of this criticism stemmed from the owners of flood damaged property. This prompted a number of initiatives and research projects which have attempted to improve the way the industry responds to major flood events.
 
“This workshop seeks to examine whether the services provided to flood victims has improved and will draw on experiences from the Summer 2007 flooding to see what can be done towards further improving the response of the relevant sectors.”
 
The event is taking place on Thursday May 8 at the offices of the West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence (http://www.wmcce.org/ ) in Birmingham City Centre, starting at 10am. It is aimed at property and business owners who may be at risk of flooding, and those responsible for dealing with the repair and recovery processes associated with flooding.
 
For more information contact info@floodrepair.net or call 01902 518743, or visit www.floodrepair.net

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