The Guardian view on the rising risk from flooding: uninsurable buildings should focus minds on climate adaptation | Editorial

The bleak future faced by one small town offers a cautionary tale about the threat from global heating

The bleak prospect facing the market town of TenburyWells in Worcestershire, due to rising flood risks, is first and foremost a problem for locals. After seven floods in four years, and with plans for new flooddefences around the town abandoned after costs rose to 30m, the town council announced this month that three buildings it owns, including a theatre and historic pump rooms, no longer have insurance. Independent retailers are in a similar situation, and some are packingup as a result. The number ofemptypropertiesis growing.

Tenbury is at higher risk than most places from floods, due to its low-lying position between the RiverTeme and Kyre Brook. But the threat it faces is not unique, and will become more common in future. Last year UK insurers paid out a record 585m for weather-related damage to homes and possessions, after unusually severe storms led to floods in several counties, with buildings left under water in towns including Henley, Wellingborough and Tewkesbury.

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