Telegraph: Lord Chris Smith said areas of Britain were facing future problems due to climate change and a "new kind" of rain.
But his comments, made after he attended a 60th anniversary memorial service to those who died in 1953 floods in East Anglia, have drawn fierce criticism.
Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for West Somerset, said they were an "insult to the intelligence" of his constituents.
Thousands of homes and businesses were damaged by floods last year and eight people were killed when Britain suffered...