Mary Long-Dhonau, a property flood resilience expert, has warned that the dry summer has increased the risk of flash flooding in the coming months. "Dry, hardened ground simply can’t absorb water quickly, so even a short, sharp downpour can lead to surface water flooding. Mary, also known as Flood Mary, has spoken to more than 2,000 people over the past two winters while visiting newly flooded communities. In response to frequent questions about flood resilience products and where to buy them, she has created a free, impartial guide called the Making Your Home Flood Ready Directory. It also features a step-by-step "Flood To-Do List" to follow when flood warnings are issued.