A new report has identified three different types of topographical area as being potentially at risk from flooding.

The study, from global information solutions company Experian's Insurances Services division, claims that the latest bout of flooding to affect the UK has occurred in three different scenarios.

One type of area to be affected were low volume catchments, the report states.

"The rate at which rain fell in rural settlements located in narrow steep-sided valleys, was faster than the soil could soak it up and the local watercourses could carry it away. As a result, the valleys filled with water, quickly causing flooding and damage to properties," Experian explains.

Broad valleys were also affected.

"Settlements in broad low-lying valleys did not experience the extreme downpours. However, these areas were inundated as a result of the local rivers and channels not being able to withhold the water travelling from areas further upstream," the study says.

And finally, some urban were also hit by flash floods.

"The storm drains in some neighbourhoods in large urban areas, such as Brightside Lane in Sheffield and Connswater in Belfast, were not designed to cope with such high volumes of water in such short periods of time," the report adds.

"Rainwater, which would have normally been channelled to the local river through the drainage network, instead ran across concrete and tarmac to inundate streets and houses."