Free warnings for flood-risk homes

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Half a million home and business owners are set to get free flood warnings on their landline phones if they live in at-risk areas, the Environment Agency has said.

People previously had to sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct but the new system will automatically register properties at risk of sea or river flooding, bringing the total number of users to almost a million from the end of February.

The Pitt Report into the widespread 2007 floods, which caused millions of pounds of damage in parts of the Midlands, the West Country and Yorkshire, recommended expanding the service and allowing individuals to 'opt out' if they wish.

Lord Chris Smith, Environment Agency chairman, said November's floods in Cumbria showed the importance of flood preparation as one in six homes is at risk of flooding in England and Wales.

He said: "By automatically signing up an extra 500,000 homes and businesses, we will more than double the number on our system to almost one million, giving more people vital time to get prepared for flooding, and by doing so, protecting lives and property."

The Floodline Warnings Direct service provides flood warnings by telephone, mobile, email, text message, fax or pager.

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