During which period homeowners must seek alternative accommodation. The recovery period is often the most harrowing. Cleaning up should take place as quickly as possible to minimise the effects of damp. Flooding can effect the structural stability of a property if it stands in the way of fast flowing water. Mud and silt can also build up, blocking drains requiring clearing.
Flooding carries an abnormally large threat of the spread of disease.
Many bacteria can survive the cold muddy water, and when you consider that much of the flood water emanates from drains and sewers, it is easy to see how nasty bugs could get into people's homes. For those that have seen their possessions and dreams washed away, there is further bad news to compound their misery. Whilst the worst fallout may only be felt in the short term, the long term effects depend very much on what happens to the climate in general and how likely we are to see frequent repeats of this years inclement weather. For now, estate agents are advising those who are trying to sell their house to take it off the market if it is in a high flood risk area. With a new website devoted to flood risks to be launched by the Environment agency and changes to be made by many conveyancers to include questions on flooding history, it seems unlikely that memories will be so quick to fade this time round.