The Ox-Cam Pathfinder Project, which is one of three DEFRA-funded national partnerships focused on raising awareness and take-up of property flood resilience (PFR) measures, is launching an innovative Floodmobile vehicle on Tuesday 9th March 2021 (12:00-12:45pm) and is inviting people from Cambridgeshire to join a special virtual launch event.
While flooding is becoming an increasingly common occurrence, many homeowners and businesses are unaware of the steps that can be taken to make their properties more resilient against future floods.
The Ox-Cam PFR Pathfinder Project has therefore had the Floodmobile custom-built to offer communities the support they need in learning more about the steps they can take in making their homes or business premises more resilient to future floods. The interactive demonstration vehicle is packed with over 50 practical flood resilience measures that reduce the impact a flood can have, including keeping water out, to making recovery swift should water enter the building.
The Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rebecca Pow MP will provide a special introduction speech, before a 360-degree virtual tour is provided, alongside PFR experts, Mary Dhonau OBE and Matt Tandy.
An expert Q&A panel will then be held which invites questions from attendees, including Dan Bond, Deputy Director of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management at the Environment Agency, Ian Gibbs, Deputy Chair of the DEFRA Property Flood Resilience Roundtable, Dermot Kehoe, Communications and Transition Director of Flood Re and Alastair Moseley, Honorary Vice President of CIWEM. The Q&A Panel will be hosted by Brian Stewart OBE, chair of the Ox-Cam PFR Pathfinder Project.
Mary Dhonau OBE, PFR Expert (Residential) for the Ox-Cam PFR Pathfinder Project said: “Having been flooded myself, I know that it is a truly appalling experience and sadly many people from across the region have also witnessed this first-hand this winter. We are here to help provide advice to those who are worried about future flooding on just what can be done at property-level to reduce the impact being flooded can bring and the Floodmobile provides a fantastic interactive experience.”
“The Floodmobile has been designed to showcase as many different interventions that can be used as possible, in one place. There are door valves, non-return vales, flooring, wall coverings, recoverable kitchens and flood doors – including those suitable for listed buildings – and much more.”
“We encourage anyone who is worried about flooding, or indeed who has already experienced this in their home or business, to sign-up to our free Floodmobile virtual launch event to find out more about property flood resilience, to hear from environmental minister Rebecca Pow MP, and to also ask questions to our expert panel of environmental, flooding and insurance specialists.”
As well as being able to access a virtual tour of the Floodmobile online, the Ox-Cam PFR Pathfinder Project team is planning to visit communities that have been directly affected by flooding, when it is safe to do so. This will enable communities to meet the team of PFR experts, to see the many PFR measures in the Floodmobile first-hand, and also watch many inspirational filmed video interviews with individuals who are already benefitting from PFR measures in their homes and business premises.
Event Registration: Register here for the Floodmobile Virtual Launch event on Tuesday 9th March 2021 at midday
Image: The Ox-Cam Pathfinder Project’s PFR Business Advisor, Matt Tandy, and Residential Advisor, Mary Dhonau OBE, outside the Floodmobile