Upcoming events
No booking is required - drop in at any location that suits you.
24 February - Hinksey Park
Redbridge Park & Ride
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Time: 10:30am-5:30pm
25 February - Chesham
Chesham Market Square
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Time: 10am-6pm
26th February: Luton
Stockwood Park - Discovery Centre car park
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Time: 10am-5pm
What you’ll get from attending
The sessions focus on practical guidance, including:
- How flooding – including groundwater flooding – typically affects different types of homes
- What can realistically be done to limit damage
- Which protection measures work in everyday situations
- How to prepare effectively before the next flood
- What local support and advice is available
You’ll be able to see real examples of PFR products and systems, understand how they are used in homes, and explore which measures may suit your property.
There will be time to:
- Ask questions about your own home
- Get clear guidance on likely costs, maintenance, and limitations
- Take away simple resources you can refer to later
Whether or not your home has had a PFR survey, you’re very welcome – these events are open to all residents and focus on helping you understand your options and prepare for flooding.
If you’ve had a PFR survey or offer
As part of this phase, funded PFR measures through Project Groundwater are only available to a limited number of homes in a pre-identified group (up to 30 properties from a cohort of 71). Those households are being contacted directly about their eligibility and next steps.
If you’ve already received a PFR survey report or an offer of measures, the event is one step in that process. It will help you to:
- Understand the proposed measures and how they would be installed
- Ask about possible disruption, timing, and any choices you may have
- Be clear about what happens next and who to contact with further questions
After the event, you’ll receive follow-up information to summarise next steps for this phase of work. Attending an event will not change whether your property is eligible for funded measures, but it can help you make informed decisions and feel more prepared.
Meet Flood Mary
These events are supported by Mary Long-Dhonau, better known as Flood Mary.
For more than 20 years, she has worked with communities across the country to help people understand flood risk, prepare in practical ways, and recover after flooding.
Also featured is the FloodMobile - a mobile demonstration home that showcases a wide range of flood resilience measures - developed by Flood Re and BeFloodReady. Mary works alongside the FloodMobile team to host events and talk people through the practical measures on display.
“Having been flooded on many occasions, I have been supporting other victims of flooding during recovery for 25 years. My passion is fighting to raise awareness of flood risk and property flood resilience. You can find me working with homeowners, communities, local authorities, the Environment Agency and Flood Re on this mission.”
Mary Long-Dhonau OBE
Her advice is based on lived experience and long-term work with residents.
At the events, Mary will be available to:
- Talk through different options
- Explain what works and why
- Help you think about what might suit your home and circumstances
This combination of independence, practical knowledge, and first-hand experience makes these sessions different from a standard information talk. They are shaped by what actually happens before, during, and after floods.
Understanding Property Flood Resilience (PFR)
Across flood-affected communities, Property Flood Resilience (PFR) plays an important role in protecting and repairing homes.
It focuses on practical changes that:
- Reduce the impact of flooding
- Help households recover more quickly
In this area, many homes are affected by groundwater flooding - when water rises from the ground or comes through floors and walls, rather than only from rivers.
Project Groundwater focuses specifically on helping communities understand and manage this type of risk.
By limiting damage at property level, PFR can help households get back into their homes sooner and reduce the amount of repair work needed. In some cases, it can also reduce the need for major insurance claims.
When properly designed and installed, PFR can help to:
- Improve long-term resilience and insurability
- Reduce repair costs and disruption
- Shorten recovery time
- Limit repeated repairs
- Increase confidence about future flooding
PFR cannot prevent flooding altogether. However, it can make a real difference to how much damage is done and how quickly a home recovers.
How PFR works in everyday homes
In most homes, PFR works as a combination of measures that support each other, rather than a single product or quick fix.
Some measures focus on keeping water out by sealing common entry points, including:
- Flood doors and barriers
- Auto-closing airbrick covers
- Sealing gaps and cracks in walls and floors
- Fitting non-return valves on drains
These help slow water down and give you more time to respond.
Other measures focus on reducing damage if water does enter. These are often called flood recoverability measures. They use materials and layouts that are easier to clean, dry, and repair, such as:
- Raised electrical sockets and appliances
- Water-resistant flooring and wall finishes
- Fittings that can be cleaned rather than replaced
In areas affected by groundwater flooding, pumps are often an important part of this system. They help manage seepage, remove water that gets past barriers, and support drying as flood levels fall.
Alongside building measures, simple household steps can also improve preparedness:
- Understanding local flood risk
- Having a basic flood plan
- Knowing how to turn off utilities
- Keeping documents safe
- Maintaining drains and gutters
- Storing valuables upstairs
Together, these actions help reduce damage and support faster recovery.
At the events, the team can explain how different options work together and which approaches may be most relevant for you.
Find out more about PFR
If you’d like to explore further, these trusted resources are recommended:
Resilience & PFR
How Project Groundwater is designing, testing and installing Property Flood Resilience measures in groundwater-affected pilot communities
Explore Project Groundwater’s resilience and PFR work
Be Flood Ready
Guidance on PFR for homes and businesses, flood action plans, and local support
Get Property Flood Resilience guidance on BeFloodReady
Flood Mary
More information about Mary’s work
Get practical PFR advice from Flood Mary
Groundwater Rising Podcast
A monthly podcast sharing expert insight and real-life experiences of groundwater flooding
Listen to the Groundwater Rising podcast
Blue Pages
Directory of PFR products, services, and consultants.
Browse the Blue Pages PFR directory
The Flood Hub
Guidance for households, businesses, and communities on preparing for and responding to flooding