Town residents ‘most worried about flooding’
THOSE MOST LIKELY TO LOOK
RESIDENTS of a town are the most worried about their homes flooding, if Google searches are anything to go by.
Research conducted by insurer Howden analysed nationwide monthly Google keyword volumes for floodrelated terms to determine which cities are the most concerned about flooding and the recent increased rainfall.
It examined the number of searches on 16 flood-related terms across 12 months.
With February confirmed as the wettest on record, more residents than ever were starting to worry about flooding and the damage it can cause to property.
On average, residents in the UK search for flood-related terms 179 times a month per 100,000 residents.
The study found residents of Loughborough were the most likely to Google information and tips on flooding.
It was discovered on average, every month there are 661 searches per 100,000 residents related to flooding in Loughborough.
The top floodrelated term searched for by residents was “flood warning”.
There was flooding chaos in the county in January, following Storm Henk.
A Howden Insurance spokesman “Residents in Loughborough have already experienced many devastating floods so it is natural that they would be searching for ways to improve the flood defences on their homes the most.”
Lincoln residents were revealed as the second most concerned about flooding.
In Lincoln, there were 509 monthly searches related to flooding and flood warnings per 100,000 residents with “flood warning” also the most searched term.
Those living in Lincoln are more likely to experience flooding as many parts of the city are below sea level, putting homes at risk even during dryer months.
The third most flood-concerned citizens were revealed to be those living in Derby.
The study showed those residing in the city were searching for floodrelated terms 506 times a month on average per 100,000 residents.
Residents in Derby survived a lot of flooding during 2023, with residents searching for “flood warning” the most. The second most searched term was “flooding near me”.
However, not all cities are concerned about rising sea levels and increased rainfall and the data revealed that people living in Glasgow, in the wet West of Scotland, were the least worried about flooding in the UK.
On average those living in Glasgow only search 49 times a month per 100,000 residents for flood-related terms. Belfast was the second least floodconcerned city in the UK.
The third city that is least concerned about flooding was revealed as East Kilbride. Residents were revealed to search 62 times a month on average per 100,000 residents for flood-related terms in the city.
The last major flood to hit East Kilbride was in August 2021.
The Howden Insurance spokesman said: “With many UK residents feeling the increased rainfall in February, some will be looking for the best way to protect their homes, such as adding flood barriers to doorways or using air brick covers to prevent water entering the home through ventilation.
“Those living in Glasgow would appear to be least concerned about flooding, however it is always advisable wherever you live in the UK, to know about the flood risks in your area.”
Readers worried about flooding can use a government website to check their area.
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It is natural that they would be searching for ways to improve the flood defences on their homes the most