What to Do During a UK Flood Warning

A flood warning is a call to act, not a piece of background weather. In England, the Environment Agency issues three types of message. The words sound similar, but the official meaning of each one is different, and the action you should take changes with them.

This guide summarises published GOV.UK advice. Flood services differ in Wales (Natural Resources Wales), Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check the service that covers your address.

Check before you need to

Check for flooding to see current warnings and risk in the next five days.
Sign up for flood warnings in England — a free Environment Agency service by text, phone or email. You cannot get warnings for surface water flooding (sometimes called flash flooding) through that service.
Check the Met Office for weather warnings.
Keep Floodline to hand: 0345 988 1188 (textphone 0345 602 6340), 24 hours.

GOV.UK notes that flooding can happen even if you do not live or work near a river or the sea. If you live in a flood risk area, official advice is to create a personal flood plan. Our household emergency plan template can sit alongside the official Be Ready plan; it is not a substitute for a plan written for a known flood risk.

What the three warnings mean (England)

According to Environment Agency guidance:

Flood alert — flooding is possible, so you should prepare now. These are usually issued between about 2 and 12 hours before flooding, and during waking hours where possible. Official steps include being ready to follow your flood plan, having insurance documents and medicines ready, and avoiding walking, cycling or driving through any flood water.
Flood warning — flooding is expected, so you should act now. These are usually issued 30 minutes to 2 hours before flooding. Official steps include protecting yourself and the people you live with, moving loved ones, pets and valuables to a safe place, moving to higher ground or an upper floor, turning off gas, electricity and water if it is safe, putting flood protection equipment in place, and doing as the emergency services tell you.
Severe flood warning — flooding could cause danger to life and significant disruption. You must act now. Stay in a safe place, be ready to evacuate, follow the emergency services, and call 999 if you are in immediate danger. If you are caught in a flash flood, move to higher ground or an upper floor if it is safe.

Severe flood warnings can be issued before, during or after flooding.

If you get a flood warning

GOV.UK’s page on what to do before or during a flood says:

Move your family, pets and important items to safety, for example upstairs or to higher ground.
Use flood protection products if you have them, such as flood barriers or air brick covers.
Turn off gas, electricity and water if it is safe to do so. Do not touch an electrical switch if you are standing in water.
Do not drive through flood water. Only move a vehicle to higher ground if it is safe.
Follow advice from your local council or the emergency services. You may be asked to evacuate.

If you get a severe flood warning

A severe warning means there is a danger to life. Official advice is to call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger, leave if the emergency services tell you to evacuate, and not walk, cycle or drive through flood water. Do not put yourself at risk to move vehicles or belongings.

Why flood water is treated as dangerous

GOV.UK is blunt: do not walk, cycle or drive through flood water. It may contain sewage and hide rubbish, wreckage, uneven surfaces or broken drain and manhole covers. That is an official safety point, not scaremongering.

If you need to travel, check for flooding and road information first.

Reporting problems and getting help

Electrical hazard or power cut: your local electricity company or 105 (free).
Gas leak: National Gas.
Overflowing sewer: your water company.
You can also report a flood or a possible cause of flooding through GOV.UK services.
Further advice is available from the National Flood Forum and the British Red Cross, and from Floodline.

If your home is damaged and you cannot live there, contact your local council about emergency accommodation.

Pumping water out of a property can require a permit, depending on where the water will go. The fire and rescue service may be able to help and might charge a fee.

After the water

Follow official after-flood advice on the same GOV.UK page rather than improvising. Flood water can leave contamination behind. If you use fuel-powered pumps or generators while drying out, keep them outdoors — exhaust fumes can contain carbon monoxide.

For household supplies that help during any disruption, including a written contact list and copies of insurance documents, see What should be in a UK 72-hour emergency kit?.

Sources

Open the 72-hour kit builder · Free checklists and official links