Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched Flood Action Week by detailing her department's efforts to manage flood risk and calling on the public to take simple steps to prepare for severe weather.

Minister Kimmins highlighted the impact of climate change, noting that Northern Ireland is "experiencing more frequent and intense rainfall." She stated that Storm Amy had already brought strong winds and heavy rain this autumn.

The current statistics show that around 45,000 homes and businesses across the North are in areas at risk of flooding. The Minister warned this figure is "expected to rise to nearly 60,000 in the future as a result of climate change." She added that flooding carries a significant risk to life and can cause "irreparable damage" and impact people's mental health. The Minister confirmed that her department and NI Water are working to mitigate flood impacts from various sources, including rivers, the sea, and surface water. This includes maintaining flood risk management infrastructure and constructing flood alleviation projects.

She assured that the department's emergency response is ready, operating a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on-call rota system alongside multi-agency partners and Community Resilience Groups.

However, the Minister stressed that they "cannot prevent all flooding from happening," making individual preparation vital. "Preparing before a flood, and knowing what to do when it happens, can reduce flooding impacts," she said.

During Flood Action Week, the department will provide information to help everyone understand the actions they can take to improve resilience. Minister Kimmins urged: "I urge everyone this week to make it your aim to know what to do in a flood – knowing just one action could reduce the effects on your home and family and even save a life."

The Met Office has also supported the campaign, encouraging communities not to be complacent about the risk of flooding despite this summer's dry weather.