WE may be in the middle of a drought, but some experts are already worrying about floods.

The recent dry spell means there is more chance of flash flooding this summer – not unlike those that devastated Worcestershire five years ago.

Dry and compacted soil can create the ideal conditions for sudden floods, says a Worcester flood consultant and leaders from the organisation Floodbond.

Flood consultant Mary Dhonau who lives off Bath Road, Worcester, was flooded eight times at her address in the city’s Waverley Street, including in the floods of 2007.

These floods were caused by water-logged ground after sustained rainfall but dry conditions can also cause flooding, experts warn.

Mrs Dhonau said: “In 2007 two thirds of the flooding was caused by surface water flooding. Because we have had a drought the water just runs down the street and the drains aren’t big enough to cope with the sheer volume of water.

This is just the kind of weather to expect flooding.”

Fortunately, her past experience of flooding meant that Mrs Dhonau was prepared for the floods in 2007 and was able to move back downstairs within three weeks of being flooded.

However during floods in 2000 her family was displaced for nine months.

Leaders from Floodbond, an alternative to flood insurance, say the risk of flooding has now increased following the driest 18 months on record since 1922.

Oliver Townend, managing director of Floodbond, said: “It’s easy to think that the current dry conditions would be able to sustain heavy rainfall, but history has shown that dry ground and heavy, slow-moving rainfall can create a perfect storm of conditions for flooding.

“Dry soil has deceptively low absorption ability and runoff can quickly collect in low-lying areas. With rain forecast it’s important to be mindful of the risk, even though most of us only associate a drought with dry conditions.”

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “The public should be aware that flash flooding can occur when there are drought conditions because the water has nowhere to go.”