“A chunk of Antarctic ice sevon times the size of Manhattan has suddenly collapsed, putting an even larger glacial area at risk.

Satellite images show the runaway disintegration of a 220-square-mile chunk in western Antarctica.

British scientist David Vaughan says it’s the result of global warming.

The rest of the Connecticut-sized ice shelf is holding on by a narrow beam of thin ice and scientists worry that it too may collapse. Larger, more dramatic ice collapses occurred in 2002 and 1995.”

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Your first thought should be your safety. Find out if family or friends can offer you a place to stay when flooding threatens. If you have a disability contact your local authority social services and ask them how they will help if you are at risk from flooding.

Plan your escape route, particularly if you are in a bungalow. If you live in a house and have window locks, always keep a key upstairs. Find out from your local authority where you would be evacuated to and let family and friends know.

Make a list of useful numbers and keep it in a safe place. This should include, Floodline 0845 988 1188, family and friends, your local authority and your insurance company.

If you face a significant risk from flooding, you should make sure that you are properly insured. Flood damage is not always included in standard business insurance. You may have to buy it as an option, although it should be included as standard for small businesses outside areas of significant risk.

Bear in mind that floods can be very expensive. As well as replacing stock and repairing damaged premises, your business could be disrupted for weeks or even months. Check whether your insurance cover includes business interruption and other costs. Usually sold as part of a business insurance package or added to an existing policy, business interruption insurance compensates a business for lost income, expenses and profits if a disaster, such as a flood, forces you to stop trading. The cost of the policy depends on your type of business and how important your premises and location are, as well as the length of the disruption.

Thinking ahead will help make any insurance claim as straightforward as possible. Keep your insurance policy and an inventory of important possessions somewhere safe. You may want to keep photographic evidence. An independent appraisal of the potential cost of repairs and replacements can also help. If you are flooded, contact your insurer immediately, and make sure that you keep complete records of everything you do.

The UK government’s Pre-budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review, presented earlier this week, failed to provide any extra cash for flood prevention work in England and Wales.

In July, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn stated that spending on flood management would increase from £600m in 2006/7 to £800m by 2010/11 and, despite pressure from the insurance industry to increase this in the Pre-Budget Report, the amount stays the same. However, Mr. Benn has now clarified how the increases announced in July will be phased in, saying that annual budgets would rise to a minimum of £650m in 2008/09, and a minimum of £700m in 2009/10, reaching £800m by 2010/11.

Reactions to the above have been mixed, with Sir John Harman, chairman of the Environment Agency, saying:

“We welcome the increase in funding for flood risk management, as announced by the government today in its Comprehensive Spending Review - it is moving in the right direction.

“We will never be able to protect everyone against all floods but we can progress now with confidence to deliver more schemes to protect people and property, and plan future schemes over the next three years.

“This welcome increase is an important step towards the long-term level of £1bn annual investment identified by the ‘Foresight’ study as being needed to stabilise flood risk in a changing climate.”

The Association of British Insurers’ director general, Stephen Haddrill, was a lot less positive, stating:

“The insurance industry is helping tens of thousands of people affected by flooding this summer, but the government has now failed to play its part. Millions of homeowners and businesses around the country have been let down by the government’s failure to commit sufficient money to new and improved flood defences.
“Government spending for the next three years is less than we were asking for, even before the floods. It does not begin to address the major issues, including drainage, which were highlighted this summer. The government will have to increase spending substantially as needs are identified by the Pitt review team.”

Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk in England. Defra funds most of the Environment Agency’s flood management activities in England and provides grant aid on a project by project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in capital improvement projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk. Defra does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on which specific projects to undertake. The works programme to manage risk is driven by the operating authorities. We regard this arrangement as a partnership, try to ensure that risk is managed effectively by the authorities and provide guidance to help ensure this. Traditionally, flooding in this context has meant from watercourses or the sea rather than from other sources. However, Defra’s new strategy (Making space for water) is taking a holistic approach to management of risk from all forms of flooding (river, coastal, groundwater, surface run-off and sewer) and coastal erosion, and seeking to ensure the programme helps deliver sustainable development.

The Environment Agency (EA) is the authority responsible for implementing and managing flood defence schemes in England and Wales. The EA also plays an important role in warning people about the risks of flooding, and establishing and maintaining flood-warning systems. Today, the Agency provides and maintains more than 34,000km of river and coastal defences in England and Wales and spends nearly £400 million each year on flood defence.

Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety, make sure your property is ventilated, plug sinks and bath and put a sandbag in the toilet bowl to prevent backflow, turn off gas and electricity, unplug and move upstairs if possible electrical appliance.

Are you a flood victim? Here are steps you have to take after a flood has damaged your property. First of all, call your insurance company as soon as possible; they will be able to provide information on dealing with your claim, and assistance in getting things back to normal. You have to keep some piece of evidence of the flood damage which could be photographs or video footage and don’t forget to keep any correspondence with insurers after the flood. Repair your property damages as soon as possible in other to protect your dwelling from further damage, you don’t need your insurer approval for that. If your property is seriously damaged, ask your insurer if you can move into alternative accommodation as this cost is usually covered under a household policy. If you have to move, don’t forget to give your new contact details to your insurance company.

How could you know when a flood happens? The flood warning would let it you know in order to help you to confront the situation.

What you have to do when the flood warning is given?

You have to follow warnings on radio and TV, you could also get more information by calling at 0845 988 1188. Finally, inform your circle such as neighbour and especially the elderly.

The disaster movie “The flood” based on Richard Doyle book, describe a London inundated, under wave. Fiction or reality?

Many specialists believe that the threat of a London flooded is very high, it is just a question of time.

The consequences could be very catastrophic for the million of people living there who would lose their property and risk to be injured or killed; and for the UK economy.