Are you flood ready?
Are you flood ready, or not? This is the question the Environment Agency is asking us to consider this Flood Action Week (12-18 October 2026).
Britain's weather is changing. The UK was built for a climate that's now changing rapidly and we're already feeling it: hotter summers, heavier downpours, drought, flooding, and growing pressure on our water supplies and natural environment.
Summer 2026 has been marked as the hottest on record. This summer’s drought might feel
reassuring, people may think it rules out the risk of flooding, but it doesn't, that's exactly why we
can't afford to be complacent.
Right now, 6.3 million properties in England are in areas at risk of flooding; and as our climate
keeps changing, that risk keeps growing. Between April 2025 and March 2026 alone, the EA
issued over 3,400 flood alerts, around 1,000 flood warnings, and 3 severe flood warnings.
Yet most people don't see the danger on their doorstep. Polling shows almost 50% of the public
have not looked up the flood risk for their home. That's a big gap between risk and readiness.
Everyone deserves to know their risk, and what to do about it.
The cost of waiting
We've seen what flooding can do: homes ruined, businesses lost, families forced to rebuild their
lives from scratch. It's devastating but a few simple steps taken now can mean less damage, less danger, and quicker recovery to reduce the long-term toll flooding takes on people's mental
health.
Know your risk. Take simple steps now.
Preparing for flooding doesn't have to be complicated. A few small actions today could protect
your home, your family, your business, and your bank balance, potentially saving you thousands
in damage and disruption tomorrow.
Are you flood ready, or not? This summer's drought doesn't mean the risk of flooding has gone
away.
Know your risk, sign up for warnings and take simple steps now to protect your home, your family and your business this winter. Visit www.gov.uk/flood-action
You can also learn more about preparing for flooding by visiting our flood pages
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