Posted 17 August 2012

Environment

Which properties are at risk from flooding.

JBA Risk Management, based near Skipton, have been using data recorded by laser and radar scanners attached to aircraft and satellites, to help them identify where large puddles are likely to form.  Using adapted graphics processors, they have generated maps of Britain that provide a picture of the height and slope of terrain to an accuracy of 15 cm. 

They also needed the course of every beck, brook, bourn, stream and river to allow them to identify which properties are at risk from coastal, river and standing water flooding.

They assume that the local drainage system can handle the “5-year” heavy rain; anything above that may overwhelm the system and hence could be causes of local flooding.  The Environment Agency and Insurance Companies are their biggest customers so if you have tried in vain to get insurance against flooding on your house, it is most likely JBA are responsible for the negative ranking.