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Forecasting and warning

Telling people a flood is about to happen is vital, as it gives them time to prepare. We also encourage those in risk areas to make a flood plan, so that they are ready when the warning comes.

Warning and informing the public

One of our key roles is in forecasting floods and warning the public. We also try to raise awareness of flooding in areas prone to it, and recommend that people living there make preparations in advance.

We use the latest technology 24 hours a day to monitor rainfall, river levels, groundwater levels and sea conditions. Combined with weather data and tidal reports from the Met Office, we can provide local area forecasts on the possibility of flooding and its likely severity. Our operational teams remain on standby to determine which of our defences to operate and when, working round-the-clock until the threat of flooding has passed.

We issue three different kinds of flood warnings - Flood Alert, Flood Warning and Severe Flood Warning.  We ensure warnings are broadcast on local radio and television, and information can also be obtained through our dedicated Floodline information service (0845 988 1188) or on our website which is updated every 15 minutes.

Warning and informing emergency responders

Following the summer 2007 floods, the Environment Agency and the Met Office have been looking at ways to combine our expertise to provide the most complete picture of national flood risk, from developing weather through to the actual flood event itself.

As a result, the Flood Forecasting Centre has been established as a joint partnership to improve our ability to respond to flooding events by providing a national forecasting and alert services to Category 1 and Category 2 responders. The Centre, which operates twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, will give emergency responders longer lead times and more targeted information to prepare for flooding. A development programme will also accelerate improvements in better forecasting techniques and the Centre’s capability to provide new services.