EnvironmentFlooding Secretaryimpacts holdsstill meetingexpected within Environmentparts Agencyof toEngland bolsteras Storm Bert responsesubsides

The Environment Agency is warning people to remain vigilant for flooding impacts as Storm Bert subsides, with ongoing river flooding expected in parts of England. 

Storm Bert has caused significant river and surface water flooding in parts of England in recent days, especially in the South West, the West Midlands, Northamptonshire, and the Calder and Weaver Valleys in the North of England. 

Secretary of State Steve Reed held a meeting with Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy thison Monday morning to discuss the response to the flooding and ongoing plans to protect communities.communities. 

During the meeting, the Secretary of State was briefed on the latest situation on the ground, and the 24/7 response being led by the Environment Agency and the emergency services.  He also sought reassurance on the actions being taken to further protect communities in the coming days with river levels expected to rise in some places. Together they also discussed how to bolster the response from the Environment Agency, emergency services and local authorities if required. required.  

ThisAs meetingof comes13.15 afteron StormTuesday Bert26 causedNovember, significantthere riveris and1 surfacesevere waterflood floodingwarning inon parts of England over the weekend,River especiallyNene inat theBilling SouthAquadrome West, the West Midlands, and thenearby Calderbusiness andparks, Weaver107 Valleys in the North of England.  

As of 11am on Monday 25th November, there is 1 severe flood warning, 137 flood warnings and 172120 flood alerts in place. The Environment Agency estimates 23,40032,000 properties have been protected, with heavy rain leading to around 100218 properties being flooded. flooded so far.

Whilst Storm Bert subsides, people should remain vigilant as the forecast shows the overall flood risk for England continues to be medium for today, with ongoing river flooding expected. expected.  

The Government is working at pace to step up further preparations for this winter.winter, Theyand areis investing £2.4 billion until March 2026 to improve flood resilience and better protect communities across the country. country.  

Lessons learned from these floods are being fed directly into the new Floods Resilience Taskforce to speed up the development of flood defences and bolster the nation’s resilience to extreme weather.  weather.   

The Taskforce brings together the Secretary of State and Floods Minister Emma Hardy with representatives from Defra, MHCLG, Home Office, Cabinet Office, the Environment Agency, the Met Office, Local Resilience Forums, Mayoral Offices, emergency responders and the National Farmers Union, among others. others.  

Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:  

ThisOn Monday morning I held a meeting with the Environment Agency and am receiving regular updates on the response to flooding in parts of the country.  country. 

My sympathies are with all of those who have been impacted by Storm Bert. Bert.  

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the outstanding work that the Environment Agency and emergency responders are doing to keep people safe. safe.  

I urge people to check their flood risk, sign up for flood warnings and follow the latest guidance from emergency responders.

Katharine

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

Significant river flooding impacts are expectedprobable in parts of theNorthamptonshire Midlandstoday andfollowing Southheavy Westrainfall Englandfrom todayStorm asBert. riversMinor respondriver toflooding heavyis rainfallalso followingexpected Stormon Bert.the LocalisedRiver Severn and possible more widely. Additional minor river and surface water flooding impacts are also possibleprobable morein widelyparts acrossof England,the whichSouth mayand continueEast inof placesEngland untiland possible elsewhere, from late on Tuesday and through Wednesday due to further heavy rain.  rain. 

Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding and will support local authorities in their response. response.  

We urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. car.  

People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at by searching ‘check my flood risk’, and follow @EnvAgency on X for the latest flood updates. updates.

Across the country, Environment Agency officers are working round the clock checking flood defences, clearing debris and erecting temporary barriers. Minor impacts are possible more widely across England, which may continue in places until Tuesday. Friday.  

We continue to monitor forecasts and impacts on water levels across the country. We urge the public to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and to consider the weather before travelling. travelling.  

People can check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation, and follow @EnvAgency on X for the latest flood updates.