Press release

More than 22,000 properties protected during recent flooding

The Environment Agency warns public to continue taking care following the recent flooding

From:
Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Emma Hardy MP and The Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP
Published
22 September 2024
Last updated
3 October 2024 — See all updates

Last week, heavy rainfall saw localised river and surface water flooding across central England, Yorkshire and the North East.

As of 10am on Thursday, there are 30 flood warnings, showing flooding is expected, and 77 flood alerts, showing flooding is possible. Local residents should continue to follow local advice.

However, the current forecast for the next five days shows the overall flood risk for England is very low.

More than 22,000 properties have been protected by the Environment Agency in the past week. Sadly, the total number of properties reported to have been flooded stands at around 1,000. We will work to understand if more could be done to better protect these properties in future.

We continue to monitor the forecast and impacts on river and surface water levels. Our message to the public remains to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation.

Chris Wilding, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

The work of our dedicated Environment Agency teams has helped to protect more than 22,000 properties during the recent flooding. The total number of properties sadly reported to have flooded is around 1,000 and our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.

The current forecast shows the overall flood risk for England over the next five days is now very low, which will bring significant relief to those communities which have been impacted.

Our advice remains the same – people should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X for the latest flood updates.

Last week, Secretary of State Steve Reed visited Northamptonshire to receive a briefing on the Environment Agency’s response and the actions taken to protect communities locally. Floods Minister Emma Hardy also visited communities in Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

I know first hand how devastating flooding can be and my thoughts go out to those residents and businesses affected across the country.

I met with those involved in the response on the ground, including representatives from the Environment Agency and its partners, and I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the vital work they have undertaken to help protect their communities. I urge people to continue to follow their advice and that of the emergency services.

This government is working hard to accelerate the building of flood defences and boost our emergency response through our Floods Resilience Taskforce.

Updates to this page

Published 22 September 2024
Last updated 3 October 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated to reflect the latest situaiton.

  2. Updated to reflect situation on Wednesday 2 October.

  3. Updated to reflect situation on Tuesday 1 October.

  4. Updated to reflect situation on Monday 30 September.

  5. Information updated Sat 28th

  6. Updated to reflect the current situation.

  7. Story updated to reflect latest situation

  8. Updated to include statement from the Secretary of State

  9. Updated as of 12.30pm Wednesday 25 September

  10. Story updated 5pm Tuesday 24 September

  11. Updated to reflect latest situation.

  12. First published.