Rising Waters: Navigating Community Flood Resilience

Community Perception of Flood Risk (S1:E8)

Show Notes In this episode of Rising Waters, hosts Alex and Steph talk to Phil Rothwell, chair of a regional committee that looks after flood risk management in Northumbria, and Ed Rollason, a lecturer in geography at Northumbria University who also is an independent expert on the regional committee that Phil Rothwell chairs. Together they discuss the need to build trust and collaboration between authorities, flood experts, and communities, and how the use of local knowledge as well as technology can prove to be invaluable. Actionable insights:  Rural vs. Urban Communities  In rural and urban communities, flood risk is something which can be seen in a different light. This can depend on factors like local knowledge, the history of flooding, and solidarity of the community.  Terminology  Certain terms such as ‘1-in-30 year flood’, can cause confusion and can be misleading for the public as they may think flood events are ‘one offs’ when in fact each flood can be different.  Local Knowledge  The importance of building trust between authorities, experts and communities is vital. This can be achieved through both working with trusted community organisations and leaders, and listening to often overlooked local knowledge.  Community Networks  Social capital and community networks are important for resilience. The downside is this can be disrupted by high turnover in a community.  Communication and Technology  Although technology and data are valuable tools in flood warnings and management, authorities still need to work closely with communities and communicate with them clearly.

Flood Resilience: Engaging with Communities (S1:E7)

In this episode of The Rising Waters Podcast, hosts, Alex and Frayer are joined by Assistant Director in Local Government and Strategic Lead for Community Resilience at Cleveland Local Resilience Forum, Gemma Ptak and Social Scientist Dr. Jatinder Singh Mehmi. Together, they discuss the value of engaging with hidden voices within marginalised communities and why overcoming barriers such as literacy and digital access, as well as fostering trust through genuine and sometimes vulnerable relationships can help to make community engagement more inclusive.  Actionable insights: Addressing Barriers to Engagement Why it’s important to identify engagement barriers such as educational attainment, location, digital access and time constraints and why these barriers prevent certain groups from having their voices heard.  Finding Inclusive Engagement Methods A deep dive into inclusive engagement methods that can be used including providing support services to help address underlying challenges. Prioritising Diversity and Inclusion Recognising that communities are not homogenous and that there is diversity within groups that need to be represented. Plus, the actions we can take such as using data (Census information) to better understand the unique needs of the community being engaged with. Building Genuine Relationships and Trust Understanding that engagement should not be transactional and the positive impact that investing time in developing genuine, authentic relationships can have on community engagement. Adapting Methods of Communication How the use of inclusive, creative and interactive communication and providing options and flexibility can make a difference to community engagement, allowing others to feel more comfortable to share their voices. Prioritising Transparency and Feedback Why there is value in being upfront about the purpose, process and intended use of engagement. Plus, the importance of creating opportunities for ongoing feedback, as well as acknowledging unique limitations and vulnerabilities some communities may have.

Dammed If We Don't; Beavers and Greenspaces (S1:E6)

In this episode of Rising Waters, Alex and Zara talk about natural flood management with experts Andy King and Basil Dean from the Environment Agency, and Kryzsztof Dabrowski, a Beaver Technical Specialist. They discuss the benefits of reintroducing once native species like beavers back into the UK to act as natural flood management, amongst other solutions such as river restoration and soil health improvement. Urban applications are also discussed, the need for community involvement and education on implementing these solutions more urgent than ever.  Actionable Insights: Natural Flood Management: Nature based solutions to flooding can improve ecosystems, habitats, and public spaces. This involves restoring rivers, floodplains, and wetlands to reduce flood risk.  Beavers as a Key ‘Eco Engineer’  Beavers are nature’s ‘eco-engineers’, building dams and creating wetlands. This behaviour can slow down the flow of water, thereby reducing flood peaks.  Urban Solutions to Flooding Green roofs, sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), and restoring rivers and streams could provide a solution to reduce urban flooding. Air quality, cooling and biodiversity are some of the extra benefits of this nature-based approach in urban areas.  Community Engagement  Community engagement is essential to the success of nature-based flood management projects. Locals can provide their own knowledge of the area and can help build buy-in and ownership for the changes.  A Vision for the Future A world where natural spaces can be appreciated by all, made more accessible as well as river and water systems given more room to behave naturally, allowing humans to reconnect with nature.

Farming, Floods and Community (S1:E5)

In this episode of Rising Waters, hosts Stephanie and Frayer are joined by Alex from the Environment Agency’s agriculture team and William, a farmer. Together they discuss the challenges farmers face around flooding and the impact this has on soil, crops and livestock. The importance of community resilience is also highlighted, as well as a sharing of knowledge on how to better navigate the consequences of flooding.  Actionable Insights: Flooding Challenges Farmers Face: The devastating impact on crops and livestock due to fields being flooded for longer periods of time and how this loss of nutrients through floodwater washes away fertilizers and pesticides.  Financial Loss & Stress How financial losses from crop loss and difficulty managing livestock can create stress on farmers and their business, and how this devastating impact can take a toll on their business and livelihood. How Farmers are Adapting: A look into how, by improving drainage systems and infrastructure, water can flow away in a more efficient manner, and how soil health and water retention can be improved through practices such as reduced tillage and direct drilling. Community: How support from the local farming community, both mental and physical, can foster further resilience both during and after flood events. Plus, a deep dive into how online resources such as the National Farmer’s Union can provide farms with much needed help and support.

Yardens and Property Flood Level Resilience (S1:E4)

In this episode of The Rising Waters Podcast, hosts Alex and Stephanie sit down with Colin Hall from The Environment Agency’s Flood Resilience Team and John Hayton from Durham Wildlife Trust to discuss practical ways to maintain flood resilience in your home, particularly through the implementation of ‘yardens’. They discuss the concept of a yarden and the impact they have on managing flooding and excess run-off in urban areas. Colin and John also share insights into how we can all do our bit in helping to make our outdoor spaces more flood-resilient whilst also being environmentally friendly.Actionable Insights:What is a Yarden?A deeper dive into what a ‘Yarden’ is and how they help manage excess rainwater in urban gardens, slow down water run-off, and create a more natural, wildlife friendly environment that can also benefit mental health. The Concept of a Rain GardenWhat a rain garden is and how it can help to both capture and filter rain water from roofs and gutters, before it can enter our drainage systems. Plus, tips and advice on how you can create your own rain garden at home. The Importance of Property Level Flood ResilienceHow implementing measures like flood doors, barriers and valves can aid in protecting your home from surface water flooding. Community EngagementHow community engagement and collective action can help build community flood resilience, such as clearing drains, litter picking, reporting issues and assisting neighbours with installing flood protection. Impact of Improper Waste DisposalHow improper waste disposal such as flushing wipes down the toilet and pouring fat down drains can clog draining systems and exacerbate flooding. Useful resources: Blue Pages National Flood Forum for PFR advice:https://bluepages.org.uk/