Although Sussex, Kent and Hampshire escaped the worst of the flooding in June and July last year, the events of summer 2007 are a stark reminder that floods can happen anywhere and occur at anytime of the year.

With this in mind, the Environment Agency is now using improved flood forecasting technology for the rivers Medway, Ouse, Wallington, Western Yar and Adur. Also, projects are currently underway to develop improved flood monitoring systems for further rivers across the region.

New state-of-the-art flood forecasting systems and telemetry together with improved weather radar information will enable the Environment Agency to predict with further accuracy where flooding will occur and will give people more valuable time to prepare for it.

Alison Baptiste, Environment Agency regional flood risk manager, said, "As events a year ago showed, flooding can have a devastating impact on people's lives. We also experienced a very significant tidal surge in March this year on the south coast which led to properties being threatened and flooded.

"Although in these extreme cases we can't always stop the floodwater, we can warn people in advance. We are constantly updating our flood forecasting technology and weather monitoring systems in order to give people as much time as possible to prepare."

There are 177,930 properties across Kent, Sussex and Hampshire potentially at risk of flooding. However, since last year the organisation has been able to increase the number of these householders signing up to the Floodline Warnings Direct service or receiving special media broadcast alerts from 48 to 57 per cent — an additional 10,600 properties. This service gives people vital time to take steps to prepare for flooding.

Alison added, "It is very encouraging to see that there has been an increase in people taking flood risk seriously and receiving Floodline Warnings Direct. This system automatically alerts people to rising rivers and possible coastal flooding, giving people the vital hours they need to protect their home and belongings.

"We recognise the impact that last summer's floods had and the misery they cause. Throughout the region we have been pressing ahead in building and maintaining flood defences and with our technological improvements in monitoring rainfall, rivers and sea conditions.

"We've also stepped up our flood awareness campaign, talked to local communities, and worked with Local Resilience Forums to help make sure the Environment Agency, other response partners and people that live and work in flood risk areas are all prepared for potential flooding in the future."

With climate change likely to increase the risk of extreme weather events and floods, the Environment Agency has launched three simple flooding guides that offer crucial advice on how to protect your home and family - before, during and after flooding.

The guides form an essential part of the Environment Agency's ongoing Flood Awareness Campaign which urges every household and business to check their flood risk by calling Floodline on 0845 9881188 or using the online postcode checker at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood.