RESIDENTS and businesses are urging Prime Minister David Cameron to invest in shoring up the region's flood defences.
Mr Cameron has promised to look into proposals put forward by local politicians to boost flood protection, following the devastating tidal surge in December.
He said the Government was "carefully" considering plans to commit to a multi-million pound flood-defence programme for the Humber.
Sue Perkins owns the Whittington and Cat in Commercial Street, west Hull, which suffered £100,000 of damage.
She said: "We definitely need better flood defences in the Humber. It is essential more work is carried out to protect Hull and the wider area.
"If I didn't have another pub business, the Whittington and Cat would probably have gone under.
"We can't get insurance for flooding, so better defences would also help in that respect."
The village of Reedness, near Goole, was badly hit by the tidal surge on December 5. Between 50 and 100 properties were affected in the village, with some residents evacuated to Goole Leisure Centre.
Richard Eastwood, chairman of Reedness Parish Council, said: "We would welcome any new defences in the Humber.
"If we are hit by such flooding again, the effect on the local economy would be unthinkable. It would also have an effect on the national economy.
"For us, it is essential this work is carried out.
"It's a miracle no one died that night and it has been heartbreaking watching people put their lives back together."
Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy raised the issue at Prime Minister's Questions this week.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Percy said: "It is ten and a half months since the tidal surge hit north Lincolnshire and east Yorkshire and many of my constituents are still out of their homes.
"Given the importance of the Humber to the UK economy – inward investment from companies such as Siemens, energy generation, petrochemicals and so on – and given that we know another surge will happen in the next 50 years, may I urge you, Prime Minister, to look favourably on the plan put together by the local authorities and the Environment Agency for massive investment in our defences to ensure we have the one-in-200 years standard we require?"
Climate experts have warned the Humber will be hit by a major flooding event within the next 50 years, with damage estimated at £30bn.
Mr Cameron said the Government would carefully examine the proposals for better defences, which ask for £1bn across a 17-year period to support infrastructure works.
He told Mr Percy: "I congratulate you on your leadership on this issue. You bro- ught a group of MPs to brief me on possible proposals.
"I also know that you have seen the Chancellor of the Exchequer and are working hard for your constituents in Humberside to ensure we do everything we can."
He said: "The Government have increased spending on flood defences and many schemes have been tested in the very high winds of the past few days and have stood up extremely well. We will look carefully at what he says."
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
•Politics news for Hull and East Riding
