Dreaming of a wet Xmas

This month has been one of the driest Novembers in many years. While some insurers have been thankful to avoid more flood claims, others are rueing the lack of rainfall.

Only 5mm of rain fell in Bangor, Torquay and Weymouth - a normal November brings an average of 100mm. Some insurers were hoping more rainfall would cause more flooding and keep the issue in the news, because then the government is forced to explain why it is not spending more on flood defences.

Now insurers will be hoping for a wet Christmas and a damp New Year so pressure is increased before the industry's February 2002 deadline for government flood defence improvement expires.