RIP Floodmobile...

In 2019, I recall having a conversation about how we could raise awareness of the benefits of Property Flood Resilience with residents and communities for an up-and-coming Pathfinder Project, and the idea of The Floodmobile was born.

I could see the benefit of creating a mobile ‘house on wheels’, packed with PFR measures, which we could take into communities at risk of flooding. It would demonstrate flood resilience products that help to reduce the amount of flood water that can enter a property, and also show post-flood adaptations to enable properties to recover more quickly after a flood.?

The Floodmobile was manufactured and launched in 2021; it quickly proved to be extremely successful. People could see and touch the PFR measures, ask questions, and seek advice. It helped to bring PFR to life.

After the project ended, the Floodmobile was retained and frequently hired by the Environment Agency , Flood Re , and Local Authorities for community engagement in ongoing PFR schemes.

It has visited many communities that were newly flooded to support people in their recovery, providing advice on recovery initiatives like Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme, flood warnings, and flood preparedness planning.

It became far more than just an awareness tool; it became a safe place where people could share their flood experiences, pour their hearts out about their recent experience of flooding, and regain hope. People really do need to talk and, on the Floodmobile, it became a place to cry and occasionally be held.

Often people arrived angry and left feeling empowered that they could take back control. That’s what made her so special and why I have become emotionally attached to her (‘She’ was always female to me!).?

The Floodmobile was a place to share positive stories, a hub for flood insurance information and advice. It was a place for education for EA and LA staff and indeed anyone working in the PFR industry. It has always been a force for good.

Since the most recent floods, the huge number of visitors that arrived totally broken but left feeling that they could see a way forward was so rewarding. This winter we’ve had around two hundred visitors per session. I’ve worked when it’s been bitterly cold, in the snow, when it’s been blowing a hoolie and when flooding is a live issue.

I’m proud of the work the Floodmobile and I, and many others, have done. Despite facing budget constraints and maintenance challenges due to its overloaded weight, the Floodmobile persevered, and while I would often host the Floodmobile alone, I have always greatly valued support from colleagues like Alan Ryan and Fola Ogunyoye , whose work with the Floodmobile has been invaluable in keeping it on the road and visitor-ready - despite occasional setbacks and repairs, including some emergency DIY fixes by my husband! (Fola’s ability to obtain free cream cakes during community visits is legendary, I must add!)

The Floodmobile was a second-hand vehicle and was rather overloaded weight wise which created a majority of the maintenance issues - this has been a hard lesson learned to only use companies experienced in fitting out an exhibition vehicle in the future!

Last week, it broke for the final time and is unfortunately beyond repair, marking the end of the Floodmobile (v1) era.

We have had to move quickly to create a vehicle for an event the next day and a big conference this week in Manchester, but that is expensive and certainly not sustainable.

I have warned that the day was coming when the Floodmobile would break down for the final time. Sadly, that happened sooner than even I thought it would.

Its demise is bittersweet, symbolising the end of a remarkable journey that has touched countless lives. I must admit to shedding a few tears when I left it for the last time, as I remembered the thousands of conversations that have taken place in there, and the hope it’s given to so many people.

I have tried hard to convince people to build a Floodmobile v2 and, while no plans for a successor currently exist, I remain hopeful that its significance will be recognised and a new chapter will be funded and begin. In the meantime, I will continue visiting communities to educate and inform people on the benefits of PFR.

There really is such a massive need for a Floodmobile – particularly as we see the number (and intensity) of flood events increasing in communities across the country. More advice and support is needed than ever before.

It’s been a brilliant crazy journey for all those who have worked on the Floodmobile v1. I for one feel very sad at her demise!