A “flood-resilient house on wheels” will visit Hull next month during its tour of the Humber region.
The Flood Innovation Centre’s Floodmobile is an innovative mobile demonstration vehicle created to show the public what property flood resilience measures are and how they work.
It is packed with around 50 different flood resilience measures that can be installed in properties to make them less vulnerable.
The Floodmobile will be in Queen Victoria Square, Hull city centre, on Thursday 22 September, from 10am to 4pm.
The week-long tour also includes drop-in events in Bilton, Barton-upon-Humber and Grimsby, as well as an Open Day at the Flood Innovation Centre in Hessle.
Throughout the tour, the Floodmobile will be accompanied by members of the Flood Innovation Centre team, who work with communities across the country to support different approaches and solutions to flood resilience. There will also be special guests, including Mary Dhonau, who has become known as “Flood Mary” for her campaigning work on flood resilience.
Mrs Dhonau said: “Having been flooded myself on several occasions, I know the huge benefits that property flood resilience can bring when it comes to cutting down the length of time it takes to recover from a flood.
“In lesser floods, it may be that you don’t flood at all and, in bigger floods, it could mean you can return home in only a few days. Far better than the average of nine months a family can be displaced after being flooded.”
The Humber region is one of the most flood-prone areas of the country, second only to London. During the 2007 floods, more than 8,000 households flooded in Hull alone.
The Flood Innovation Centre is working with the Humber Local Resilience Forum, which includes Hull City Council and the region’s three other local authorities, together with other emergency responders, to ensure as many people as possible get the opportunity to see the vehicle.
Pip Betts, Project Manager at the Flood Innovation Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing the Floodmobile to the Humber region so that people can come along and see the property flood resilience measures for themselves.
“The Floodmobile’s tour of the region is also a great opportunity to chat to members of our team about the ongoing support that’s on offer, as well as learning more about the important role that property flood resilience measures play in minimising the impact of flooding.
“We hope as many people as possible will come along and have a look around the Floodmobile or sign up to attend our free open day.”
The Floodmobile tour schedule is as follows:
- Monday 19 September, from 10am to 4pm: Water’s Edge Visitor Centre car park at Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire (DN18 5JR).
- Tuesday 20 September, from 10am to 4pm: The Old Bus Station outside Freshney Place (outside the multi-storey car park), Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire (DN31 1AA).
- Wednesday 21 September, from 10am to 4pm: The car park at Asda Bilton, East Riding of Yorkshire (HU11 4AL).
- Thursday 22 September, from 10am to 4pm: Queen Victoria Square, Hull (HU1 3RA).
- Friday 23 September: Flood Innovation Centre Open Day for community organisations and businesses at Aura Innovation Centre, Hessle, East Riding of Yorkshire (HU13 0GD). This free event comprises two separate sessions – one for businesses and one for community groups. Lunch is included at both sessions, and places can be booked here.
