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87% of EU Homes Unprotected From Devastating Floods
12 Feb
Summary
- 40% of EU citizens now have insurance policies for climate hazards.
- A significant 87% of households lack flood-proofing measures.
- 76% of EU citizens report no flood mitigation systems in their vicinity.
Recent extreme weather events across Europe, including "weather bombs" in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, have heightened public anxiety. In response to intensified climate hazards, 40% of EU citizens have secured insurance policies, with Slovenia and Hungary reporting the highest rates of coverage.
Despite financial preparations, physical defenses against floods remain alarmingly scarce. The European Environment Agency reports that 87% of households lack basic flood-proofing measures. This vulnerability is particularly acute in southern Europe, with Italy and Spain showing 90% and 93% of properties unprotected, respectively.
Public worry about severe floods is highest in Greece, Portugal, and Bulgaria. Adding to this concern is the perceived lack of official action, as 76% of EU citizens have not seen any flood mitigation systems like dykes or retention ponds in their areas. While fewer people have noticed extreme weather warnings, a high perception rate for alerts exists in countries like Poland and Portugal.
