Nick Turner / Temporary flood barriers erected around a pub at Upton-on-Severn, Worcestershire, June 2007

Ashley Cooper / The Thames barrier designed to protect the capital from storm surge flooding, London, England, UK. May 2007

Ashley Cooper / The Thames barrier on the River Thames in London. It was constructed to protect the capital city from storm surge flooding. England, UK, June 2014

Ashley Cooper / The Thames barrier on the River Thames in London. It was constructed to protect the capital city from storm surge flooding. London, England, UK, June 2014

Ashley Cooper / New flood defences in Cockermouth, Cumbria, UK. Built after the disastrous 2009 floods that inundated large parts of the town. They were completely overtopped by the floods from Storm Desmond December...

Ashley Cooper / Flood gate which is part of the new flood defences in Cockermouth, Cumbria, UK. Janaury 2013. Built after the disastrous 2009 floods that inundated large parts of the town. They were all overtopped...

Ashley Cooper / New flood defences in Cockermouth, Cumbria, UK. Built after the disastrous 2009 floods that inundated large parts of the town. They were completely overtopped by the floods from Storm Desmond December...

David Woodfall / Flood protection barrier (filled with water) to protect homes during February 2014 flooding. Chertsey, Surrey, England, UK, 16th February 2014.

David Woodfall / Flood protetction barrier (filled with water) to protect homes during February 2014 flooding, Chertsey, Surrey, England, UK, 16th February 2014

David Woodfall / Brick flood protection barrier built following 2007 floods, taken during the February 2014 flooding, Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire, England, UK, 8th February 2014.

David Woodfall / Flood barrier at the bottom of New Street, Upton upon Severn, during February 2014 flooding, Worcestershire, England, UK. 8th February 2014.

Will Watson / Flood barrier along the River Wye in Hereford during 2014 floods, Herefordshire, England, UK, 11th February 2014.