East Riding of Yorkshire Council collected information during the flood emergency in 2007 and have continued adding to it. The information shows the assets that flooded and those at risk from flooding in a map format. The robust collection of reusable data has earned its cost many times over through its continued use in focusing resources.
The data collected during the emergency has been collated and added into the Council's GIS and asset management system since 2007. This source of information is used to help focus investment to minimise waste and resolve problems.
The information has also been used to ensure the appropriate provision of help, support and grants to those desperately in need. The information in the flood mapping has helped to reduce the risk of fraudulent claims.
The data is immediately logged into the system on a live basis and has made use of the National Land and Property Gazetteer data, where the Council is a lead authority. The use of subsequent analysis has resulted in the identification of specific instances of locations by flooding type. For example; adjacency to rivers.
The information collected was an important factor in the numerous operations involved in the clean up and recovery of the flooded areas. Some of these operations have lasted a long time and the flood mapping has allowed the tracking of information. This has helped the Council to respond to the many queries for assistance and information, including from those still suffering today from the aftermath.
Flood mapping has been used to support policies and strategies in planning, housing and transport. This includes forward planning and in the strategic approach to new investment. It is also used in the emergency planning for access, as main transport routes are often restricted or unusable in the event of flooding emergencies.