New research conducted by Flood Technology Group has shed light on the devastating impact that climate change is set to have on caravan parks in Wales over the next 100 years, with the number of riverside and coastal caravans at high risk of flooding set to rise sharply.
According to the latest projections*, between 2024 and 2120, the number of caravans at high risk of flooding from rivers will increase by 68% and the number at high risk of flooding from the sea is set to rise by an astonishing 795%.
Simon Gilliland, Chief Executive of Yorkshire-based Flood Technology Group, which is currently working with caravan and holiday lodge owners across the United Kingdom to help them future-proof their homes and businesses against the growing threat of climate change, says the alarming projections must come as a wake-up call to Wales’ holiday park sector.
He continued: “During the last few winters we’ve all seen footage and images in the news showing the devastating impact that flooding has had on many areas of the UK, including scenes from several large holiday parks that have been left under water and counting the cost.”
“Coastal and riverside locations are idyllic places to spend our leisure time and it’s natural that people should be drawn to them, but this also puts them in the very frontline when we consider the growing impact of climate change.”
Simon added: “When Natural Resources Wales released its latest flood mapping data, we were particularly interested in examining how the projections might affect the holiday park sector, which is one of several sectors that we’re currently rolling our flood adaptive technology out to. We fully expected to see an increase in the level of flood risk to holiday parks located alongside rivers and in coastal areas, but the projected level of increase, particularly in coastal areas, is far beyond anything that we could have envisaged.
“The fact that the number of caravans at high flood risk from the sea is set to increase by almost 800% over the next 100 years is hard to contemplate, and will come as devastating news to both caravan and holiday park owners in seaside locations. It’s clear that they can’t afford to be complacent and must take steps now to future-proof their homes and businesses.”
Kevin Minnear, Head of Underwriting at Compass Insurance, said: “Insurance claims for storm and flood damage in 2024 reached £3.7 million, accounting for approximately 48% of all claims.**
“In Wales alone, we saw more than an 800% increase in claims relating to storms and flooding year-on-year.”***
Kevin continued: “In the wake of Storm Eowyn, we expect to see an influx of claims. While we know parks take preventative measures to protect the units on their site all year round, gusty winds, heavy rainfall and the resultant flooding are somewhat out of their control, and the impact of climate change is set to make things even more challenging.
“Owners should ensure that they have adequate insurance for their units and keep them maintained to ensure any damage is kept to a minimum.”
Sources of data referenced above:
*The research conducted by Flood Technology Group is based on the latest flood mapping data published by Natural Resources Wales (2024 Properties at Flood Risk in Wales), which assumes that the standard of protection for the flood defences will “keep pace” with climate change.
** Data collected and calculated from Compass, a trading style of Bspoke Lifestyle, claims from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.
*** Figure calculated from Compass, a trading style of Bspoke Lifestyle, claims from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.
