MDA consultants have personally suffered severe flooding in their own homes and have frequently been cited as ‘exemplars’ not only in preparing for those events but also by instigating a wide range of flood resilience and protection in their properties. They have many years extensive experience of working with communities and individuals at risk. Mary Dhonau OBE herself is known as a trusted and respected voice within the community, from those recently flooded to Government agencies and MPs. As the former Chief Executive of The National Flood Forum, she has acted as a witness to the Pitt Review and to both Gloucester and Oxford Councils following the flooding in July 2007. Mary has been a Member of the Cabinet Office Community Resilience Programme Steering Group and is on the expert panel for the Welsh Government research into support for communities affected by flooding and on the steering group for communicating local flood risk management.

MDA has a comprehensive knowledge of flood resistance and resilience and maintains a wide selection of kite-marked flood protection products, literature and guides enabling them to offer completely independent advice to individuals, LA’s and groups. MDA’s contacts within the insurance industry, Government and Defra ensure they are able to offer up to the minute advice on the increasing difficulties of securing affordable flood insurance.

Recently, MDA was engaged by the Environment Agency (EA) to work with local communities and individuals, in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire to raise awareness of flood risks and advise and encourage them to work towards flood resilience and sign up to the EA’s Flood Warning Direct (FWD). Communities were engaged via activities to raise awareness which included one-to-one communication, direct leafleting, presentations, workshops, local meetings and utilising contacts in local and national media. In each target area our methodology resulted in a vastly increased take up of FWD and improved community awareness.

For quality engagement to succeed, communities and individuals must be convinced that their views will be heard and taken into account. MDA’s experience has demonstrated that individuals need to talk to those who can empathise, understand and acknowledge their anxieties and beliefs. We firmly believe there are huge benefits in employing external consultants who have not only been flooded, but have also survived and produced positive role model coping strategies (i.e. Household Flood Plans & implementation of property protection). Our recently published four page colour “Guide to preparing an Emergency Household Plan” has received wide acclaim from LA’s and local EA officers. The guide is accompanied by a 4 page b/w ‘Household Emergency Plan’ template, which can be easily geographically customised to meet the local needs of target communities. Sample copies are available to download from our website.

In addition to this MDA is also knowledgeable about current government strategies, flood insurance issues etc., and as such were able to offer respondents an ethical and realistic response to a wide range of questions and concerns. We are also able to offer householders and businesses reassurance and expert advice on recovery and restoration post-flood.

The recent weather patterns in the UK over the last couple of weeks confirm that flooding is now becoming a year round possibility further highlighting the need for communities to be prepared for the worst. As a small and pro-active company we are able to offer competitive charges and a customised programme of work to suit individual communities/projects.