Floods ‘Double Web Traffic’

Two regional websites covering flood-hit areas of the UK saw their online traffic double during the spring and summer months, according to newly published data.

Associated Northcliffe Digital states that its thisishull portal achieved twice its average visits per month during June when it recorded hits in excess of 180,000.

The group’s thisisgloucestershire website also recorded double its monthly averages with 200,000 visits in July.

In addition, holdthefrontpage.co.uk reports that the floods prompted a dramatic increase in user-generated content with more than 500 pictures uploaded to the Hull site by local residents.

Visitors to the Gloucestershire website were equally active and the number of comments posted by users rose to 3,000 during the worst week of the crisis.

“In times of crisis people need regular information updates, which we were able to provide via our online portals,” said Michael Pelosi, managing director of Northcliffe Media.

He added: “Local digital media now plays an integral part in people's lives.”