Flooding

Flooding. You can't prevent it but you can prepare for it.

Flooding is a natural process that can happen suddenly. To help in preparing a response to a flood, the Environment Agency has the role of principal flood defence operating authority in England and Wales. It is responsible for providing flood defences and issuing warnings to the public, spending approximately £300 million per annum on its core flood defence activities.

Following the severe flooding during Easter 1998, the Agency established a National Flood Warning Centre (NFWC) to provide a central focus for improving flood forecasting, flood warning and communications in order to help protect people and property in flood risk areas.

While the Environment Agency provides advance warning of flooding wherever possible, and local authorities may provide assistance, it is your responsibility to protect yourself and your family.

If you live in a flood risk area do what you can now to prepare for a flood. Don't wait until it happens, you may not have time.