This week, we have joined forces with the University of Hull's Energy and Environment Institute (EEI) to launch a new study. The 18-month long research project aims to help businesses and property owners adapt to the rising threat of flooding.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have recently revealed that weather-related claims for homes and possessions surged to £585 million in 2024. This figure has more than tripled since 2022, and has been driven largely by an increase in flooding and other climate-related events.
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and more severe, the research will evaluate the effectiveness of property-level flood resilience (PFR) measures such as flood doors and smart air bricks.
What will the study entail?
The research will focus on identifying practical, scalable flood resilience measures that work for operational businesses. It'll also address additional challenges that businesses face, such as accessibility, security and high footfall.
The insights from the study are expected to support the development of data-driven tools to help businesses assess and manage their flood risk more effectively.
The partnership will draw on the University of Hull's extensive expertise in environmental impact studies and flood resilience, capitalising on its world-class research facilities.
Sharing outcomes of the research
We plan to share research findings at various stages throughout the 18-month study period - watch this space!
The research team
Professor Stuart McLelland, Deputy Director of the Energy and Environment Institute and Professor of Water Science, will lead the work. His research focuses on physical modelling of flow processes and sediment transport dynamics, and he leads research in the Total Environment Simulator (TES) - a world-class experimental facility, operated by the University of Hull.
Dr. David Furnues is the appointed researcher on the project, and will contribute his interdisciplinary expertise in fluid mechanics, geography, and global politics. He is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Property Flood Resilience, holds a PhD in Fluid Mechanics from Cardiff University, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, as well as a member of the Institute of Leadership and IAHR.
