Review ordered into floods

LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) The government today ordered a review into the response to the recent devastating floods across much of England and whether they could have been avoided.

Four people died and tens of thousands of homes were damaged across central and northern England as a result of flooding brought on by torrential downpours during Britain's wettest June on record.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the ''Lessons Learned review'' would look at why the flooding was so extensive, whether its impact could have been predicted and prevented, and whether the immediate response was effective and coordinated.

It will take on board the views of those involved in the floods, including affected residents, local councillors and members of the emergency services.

''As the affected communities, businesses and individuals move to the long and difficult task of recovery, they are understandably asking questions about the flooding -- its causes and subsequent management,'' Benn said.

''My ministerial colleagues and I have said that it is vital that we learn lessons now about how to manage and respond to this type of disaster in the future,'' he said in a written statement to parliament.

More than 37,000 properties including some 7,000 businesses are believed to have been hit by the floods, the government said, with nearly 18,000 properties affected in the Hull area alone.

Many people are still being housed in temporary housing and around 300 are in emergency accommodation in Sheffield and Doncaster and Hull.

Insurers have said they face a bill of around 1.5 billion pounds in claims for damages while last week Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised 14 million pounds of emergency funding to help the affected areas.

Today, Floods Recovery Minister John Healey announced the distribution of 8 million pounds of that cash to 34 local authorities, with the largest amount, 2.15 million pounds, going to Hull City Council.

''This will support the work of local authorities to provide immediate help to those people in the greatest need,'' Healey said. ''I know this money will help bu I also know more is needed.'' Initial findings of the review will be published by the end of the year.

REUTERS ARB RN1819