Key flood facts:

* Historically, flood defence in England and Wales was organised by a number of different river boards until the National Rivers Authority (NRA) was formed in 1989. In place of this, the Environment Agency was created in 1996 with overall responsibility for flood defence and flood warning.

* The Environment Agency provides and maintains more than 34,000km of river and coastal defences in England and Wales. The Agency spends nearly £400 million each year on flood defence. Since the autumn 2000 floods it has built 70km of new or improved defences reducing the risk for some 25,000 people.

* The Environment Agency has responsibility for monitoring river, sea and weather conditions around the clock. The agency's advance warning system aims to provide people with a minimum of two hours warning of imminent flooding.

* The Met Office Storm Tide Forecasting Service (STFS) provides the Environment Agency (and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency in Scotland) with 24-hour forecasts of coastal flooding, surge and wave activity.

* Following the 1953 floods, a committee was set up to consider schemes to protect London. The Thames Barrier, the world's largest movable flood barrier, was erected in 1989 to provide flood control to the upper reaches of the Thames.

* Check your insurance policy to ensure you have adequate flood cover. n Keep a list of useful numbers to hand such as your council, emergency services, insurance company and Floodline 0845 988 1188.

* Discuss possible flooding with your family, your friends and your neighbours. Is there an elderly neighbour or relative who will need your help?

* Prepare a Family Flood Plan. Think about what you and your family would do and what you might need in the event of a flood. Discuss the plan with your family and friends and try it out (include things like making sure pets are safe and plan where you could move the car to).

* At work, check there's a Business Flood Plan. Have a flood drill to practice what you and your employees/fellow workers would need to do in the event of a flood.

* Get into the habit of storing valuable or sentimental personal belongings upstairs or in as high a place as possible. * Have a few sandbags or floodboards prepared to block doorways and airbricks. In an emergency, make sandbags using old pillow cases, carrier bags or even tights filled with sand or earth.

* Make up a flood kit. Include a torch, blankets, waterproof clothing, wellingtons, a portable radio, first aid kit, rubber gloves and key personal documents n Make sure you know where to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies. If you're not sure, ask the person who reads the meter when they next visit.