Chief's fears over winter flood risk

AN Environment Agency (EA) boss has warned the UK could suffer from flooding this winter despite areas being in drought, saying "climate change is happening now" Caroline Douglass, the

EA's executive director for flood and coastal risk management, delivered the warning on Monday during a briefing on the weather outlook for the winter months and preparations to respond to possible flooding.

She said it will take a "lot more rainfall than we currently are receiving" for the UK to be out of drought next year, saying "we could see some more impacts from flooding as a result of the drought" but this would depend on factors such as where rain falls and the volume.

It comes as the EA launched its annual Flood Action Week on Monday, warning of the dangers of extreme weather events and urging people not to be complacent following this summer's dry weather.