There is little doubt that emergency services and local authorities will be better prepared to deal with floods in the future.

But are we doing enough to help protect our homes and our communities if the worst happens?

The long-awaited Pitt report identified the vital need for the public to take responsibility in a time of crisis.

Sir Michael Pitt said: “The public play just as important a role – and in some aspects a greater one (to the emergency services and local authorities) – in coping effectively with emergencies like those of summer 2007.

“On visits to the affected areas, the review team collected many stories which illustrate how active local leadership and positive action, by both individuals and local organisations, helped to minimise the extent of the damage to communities.

“Temporary facilities, such as reception centres staffed predominantly by volunteers were widely utilised. Those with the equipment to help others – for example farmers in Upton-upon-Severn – did work for those in greater need.

“Post-flood, individual and collective involvement has helped to engender a sense of enhanced community spirit and co-operation.”

He added: “There is no reason why, as a society, we should accept flooding as simply a fact of life.

“But responsibility does not lie with Government or other authorities and organisations alone – they cannot protect people from all the consequences of natural disasters. The response to a major emergency is stronger if all parties work together, including communities and individuals.”

Gloucestershire's chief fire officer Terry Standing agrees with the principle.

Mr Standing has been working with communities to ensure they are as best prepared as possible.

“One of the fundamental lessons learnt was that we need to make our communities as resilient as possible,” he said.

“This is about communities helping themselves, making sure the elderly and vulnerable are OK. We saw lots of areas where this community spirit was good but lots where elderly people had been left on their own.

“People need to understand how important it is to help in their community because, if there is a crisis, we may not be able to get to you quickly, so it is vital for people to help themselves.”

The Pitt report went on to recommend a series of actions to help people prepare for the worst.

Sir Michael suggests residents in flood-prone areas create a “personal stockpile” for use in an emergency which includes items such as tools, blankets, water, food and clothing. The report also recommends people to have a “flood kit” which would contain personal documents, insurance policy details, emergency contact numbers, a torch, a battery or wind-up radio, a mobile phone, rubber gloves, wet wipes or antibacterial hand gel, first aid kit and blankets.

The Environment Agency also provided residents simple advice on protecting their home from flooding.

They urged home owners to have adequate insurance and check, where possible, the Environment Agency website for flood risks.

Those in a flood risk area were also urged to contact the Environment Agency to be registered on their Floodline Warnings Direct scheme, which Department of the Environment, Food, the Regions and Agriculture (Defra) is determined to make an opt-out rather than opt-in registration.

Other recommendations include residents keeping vital possessions, such as financial and legal documents, as well as items of sentimental value, upstairs and making sure they know where to turn off their gas, electricity and water.

Residents were also made aware of what they can do to protect their property, including purchasing products like door guards and toilet non-return valves.

Residents in most areas of Gloucestershire benefited from a £1.9-million flood relief fund or grants provided by their district councils.

Sir Michael also stressed the need for businesses to protect themselves against flooding, pointing out that a business was far more likely to be flooded than damaged by fire in at-risk areas.

There seems no doubt that all communities must step up to the plate when floods hit and not rely solely on overstretched outside help.

“There is no doubt that, when caught up in an emergency, the majority of people do help themselves and their community,” Sir Michael said.

“Although resilience begins with the individual, greater dividends can be achieved if activities are organised at the community level.

“There are areas where community preparedness work is already under way, and evidence to the review suggests that it works best when kept to a focused local level – the village; the town ward; the business; or the housing estate. In part, successful community resilience requires people to know who, and what, is where.”

The Western Daily Press and other local media did their bit in keeping people up to date with flood news – a point Sir Michael highlighted in his report.

“The media, particularly local radio, has a pivotal role in passing important information to the large numbers of people affected by flooding or loss of essential services,” he said.

Gloucestershire County Council issued thousands of flood guides to county residents. If you would like one call 01452 425000.