Anyone who is unaware of the worst natural disaster to hit our shores in fifty years should get out more. For the rest of us, it seems that everything that could go wrong is currently doing so. If it isn't trains causing disruption or tornadoes giving your roof tiles a battering, then it is flooding that is leaving people up to their neck in the cold muddy water of repair bills. Is this the beginning of the end of the world? Armageddon? A cataclysm? Well maybe not, but the dramatic effect this planets population has inflicted upon it's atmosphere looks set to stay.

Many homeowners, mainly those without 'river-frontage', appear to have bought houses irresponsibly built on flood plains, blissfully unaware of the dangers at hand. They are now paying the cost.

But don't start grinning as you think of your pad sitting comfortably above the waterline. Over 5 million of us live in a flood risk area. And during the government's recent Flood Action Week, the Environment Agency warned that Britain could become a flooding 'hot-spot' with up to a ten-fold increase in flooding over the next century. So you may not be as safe as you think.

Providing little help are the developers, with environmental experts pointing the finger of blame for the damage at developers who continue to build on flood plains. Millions of new homes have been constructed flood risk areas in recent years as the pressure for space increases and planners become more complacent that existing flood protection is adequate. Another 23 million homes are planned for the next 15 years making matters only worse.

The government is currently pushing to introduce tougher guidelines for homebuilding in flood prone areas with John Prescott claiming the government would use events of the last few weeks as a "wake-up call". This week's disaster may make many think twice before buying that home with 'river frontage' or 'lake views'.

"Our policy is clear," Prescott said. "It is to discourage inappropriate development in flood risk areas. We intend to issue the final version of new guidance in December." Prescott also hinted that some infrastructure had been built "on the cheap."

The Conservatives have suggested that Labour should review its plans to rapidly increase house building in the southeast. "This is yet another reason why the government should reconsider its plans to build houses in the wrong places," said Archie Norman the Conservative spokesman.

Experience has shown that repairs and re-decoration after flooding can be extensive. Once the floods subside it can take up to a month for an inch of plaster or brick to dry out. During which period homeowners must seek alternative accommodation.

The recovery period is often the most harrowing. Cleaning up should take place as quickly as possible to minimise the effects of damp. This is not going to be easy this time round, with winter fast approaching.

Flooding can effect the structural stability of a property if it stands in the way of fast flowing water. Mud and silt can also build up, blocking drains requiring clearing.

Flooding carries an abnormally large threat of the spread of disease. Many bacteria can survive the cold muddy water, and when you consider that much of the flood water emanates from drains and sewers, it is easy to see how nasty bugs could get into people's homes.

For those that have seen their possessions and dreams washed away, there is further bad news to compound their misery. The value of properties in flood risk areas looks set to plunge by as much as 25%. Whilst the worst fallout may only be felt in the short term, the long term effects depend very much on what happens to the climate in general and how likely we are to see frequent repeats of this years inclement weather.

For now, estate agents are advising those who are trying to sell their house to take it off the market if it is in a high flood risk area. "You might be better to consider renting it out for a time until memories have subsided and prices have risen," said Hugh Dunsmore-Hardy of the National Association of Estate Agents.

With a new website devoted to flood risks to be launched by the Environment agency and changes to be made by many conveyancers to include questions on flooding history, it seems unlikely that memories will be so quick to fade this time round. Potential buyers are already thinking twice about purchasing properties in high-risk areas and this may in time see some areas go out of fashion altogether.

So while developers continue building in flood prone areas and homeowners count the cost of the latest round of damage, it's the insurers who are left to pick up the tab. And it's a cost that most believe will simply result in higher insurance premiums slapped on the unsuspecting homeowner.

Over the past two years over 25 people have died due to flooding and many more have suffered damage to homes and possessions. Land and other assets currently at risk from flooding are valued at over £214 billion.

Last year alone, the weather caused damage estimated at £861 million. This year's bill is likely to be much higher considering the persistent and repetitive nature of this year's autumn deluge. The insurance industry is already bracing itself for the continued and worsening effects of global warming.

The average total cost of flood damage is usually around £600 million per annum, accounting for both insured and uninsured losses. Total payouts for 1999 reached only £47 million and £17 million for the first quarter of 2000. This leaves a large amount of losses unaccounted for. Much of this may be due to the many millions of homeowners without sufficient insurance.

To confirm this, research by the Environment Agency suggest that as little of 5% of people living in flood risk areas are adequately prepared, with many no doubt being caught out completely. Only one in four households posses contents insurance and over a third don't know if their insurance covers them for flood damage.

Chris Mouncey spoke on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) commenting, "Flood damage can cause huge misery and hardship. Average household claims exceed £6,000 with carpets and curtains most commonly claimed for, although water can even damage the plaster and structure of dwellings".

If the weathermen are for once right, we are in for much more of the same over the coming years. So what can homeowners and buyers do to reduce the damage? Well the best advice can be given to those looking to buy a house. Be careful. There are now a number of Internet sites available to give you the low-down on the risks inherent in buying a property anywhere in the UK.

Check out our list of local area information sites to see how your property compares. However, none of these really give you much information about whether or not a property is prone to flooding, so the best advice we can really give is for you to ask around.

If you've already got a property in a flooded area, you probably have a better idea of what to expect than we do. The only advice we can really give you, is the old scout motto 'Be prepared'. The ABI, on the other hand, has lots of experience of these matters and recommends that people dwelling within flood risk areas to take the following precautions:

• Find your insurance policy and check your cover. Call your insurer if you are concerned or require advice. And get some insurance if you don't have any. At least you'll be covered if it happens again.
  
  
• Keep your insurers emergency phone number safe and above the water line. Keep a flood kit from an emergency.
  
  
• If you live in a flood risk area, phone around insurers to get the best deal. It can be possible to keep down the premium by agreeing to a higher excess on your property.
  
  
• Clearly mark your gas and electricity switches so they can be swiftly turned off.

And if you do get swamped:

• Check for external structural damage
  
• Check drainage systems
  
• Photograph the damage
  
• Contact insurers
  
• Clear curtains and carpts
  
• Clean floors and walls
  
• Dry the building by leaving doors and windows open