New ‘one stop shop’ for flood preparedness launched as we approach more weather whiplash
The UK government launched a new online flood preparedness hub and set a target to protect 200,000 properties by 2029, investing £27.9 billion to reduce flood damage risks.
A new online platform called ‘Flood Action Online’ has been introduced to provide clear, practical flood guidance for households in England. The service consolidates flood risk checks, weather alerts, and resilience measures into a single resource. Homeowners can now quickly assess their flood risk and access Met Office alerts during incidents. The platform also offers advice on property-level flood resilience improvements to help communities prepare.
The government has committed £27.9 billion to enhance flood defences, targeting 200,000 properties by 2029 as part of a £4.2 billion investment programme. Hundreds of flood defence projects are underway, with economic benefits estimated at £27.9 billion through avoided damage. This initiative is part of broader climate adaptation efforts to address increasing flood risks across the country.
A new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce has been established to strengthen the UK’s response to extreme weather events. The taskforce will coordinate planning and response strategies, focusing on communities and businesses. The government highlights its ongoing investment in flood defences, including £2.65 billion spent in the first two years, which protected nearly 62,000 properties.
The Environment Agency has launched its annual Flood Action Week campaign to encourage proactive flood preparedness. Teams maintain 260 mobile pumps and 25 kilometres of temporary barriers for emergency deployment. Free flood warnings are provided to help households reduce the impact of flooding, with 24/7 response teams on standby across England.