The Environment Agency is warning businesses and home owners of an increased likelihood of flooding this winter.
The warning comes as the agency estimates that last year's flooding cost the UK economy up to £600 million, with the impact on businesses in England costing up to £200 million.
Working with the Met Office, the Environment Agency is advising that there is an elevated risk of flooding from rivers, the sea and from surface water this winter.
With persistent rainfall in the second half of October having made the ground very wet, and with the weather in late autumn and early winter typically stormier and wetter than other times of the year, there is an increased chance of flooding the agency has said.
David Rooke, director of flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said: "The most important thing that we can all do to protect ourselves from the devastation that flooding can cause is to be prepared by checking our flood risk on the Environment Agency’s website, signing up to free flood warnings and making a personal flood plan.
"Every £1 spent on protecting communities from flooding saves £8 in repairing damage. Over the last three years we have protected an additional 182,000 homes and businesses with new flood defence schemes."
The free flood warning service gives people and businesses vital time to prepare so they can protect belongings and reduce the cost of repairs
The service sends an automated telephone message, text message, email or alert to Facebook profiles and has over 1.2 million subscribers across England.
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