Flood Warden Newsletter Autumn 2025
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In this Issue
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Environment Agency News |
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Get Flood Warnings Update
Some of the benefits include improvements to how a user will see their account details online, including their contacts and locations of interest. A new map feature will help users visualise flood risk in their area, making the information more meaningful, and there is additional guidance about what a flood alert, warning and severe flood warning mean.
What will the changes mean for me?
Existing external customer flood warning accounts will be migrated automatically to the Get Flood Warnings service; there is no need to re-register, and customers will continue to receive the flood alerts and warnings they are already signed up for. If a user has an email address registered, they will be able to sign into their account to update their details via the Get Flood Warnings service. If an account does not have an email address listed, users can call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 (Textphone 0345 602 6340) to add one, and then they will be able to log in online and update their account. The website will offer the same core features, as well as introducing some enhanced capabilities designed to improve the overall user experience. These enhancements will allow individual users to personalise their accounts, and tailor messages and settings to better suit their specific needs and preferences. Users will have the ability to:
Changes in the service
In a change from the current service, if a registered user receives a flood alert or flood warning, they will now automatically receive a message when that alert or warning is no longer in force. Users were previously only notified about flood warnings no longer in force if they requested it. To make our messages consistent across the country, some local information that was previously included in messages will now be found via the Check for Flooding service on GOV.UK, or on the Floodline recorded message service. The email address that you will receive our messages from will now be , and SMS text messages will come from FLOODLINE. On Get Flood Warnings, you can either register for the standard service, which is recommended for a home or small business, or for the professional service, which is recommended for large organisations and emergency responders. Some flood warden or community flood groups may benefit from registering for the professional service to allow for more contacts to be listed and managed under the same account.
Where can I find more information? We have answers to frequently asked questions here: Launch of Get flood warnings | Engage Environment Agency When the Get flood warnings service launches it will be found at https://www.gov.uk/get-flood-warnings – please note, this page is not yet live. Please be aware that you will still continue to receive the same flood messages you currently do when we migrate to the new service, and no action is required from you. We will be explaining the updated service in more detail at a future Lunch and Learn session on Thursday, 27 November.
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Flood Action Week It’s Flood Action Week! Flood Action Week runs 13–17 October, and we’d love to invite you to join us in raising awareness and supporting communities at risk from flooding. In England there are around 6.3 million homes and businesses in areas at risk of flooding, but many people are unaware and unprepared. The cost of flooding to a home can be tens of thousands of pounds. Devastatingly, flooding also brings a significant risk to life, damage to homes, businesses and communities, and can impact people’s mental health. Every action can help make a difference and help raise awareness. We’d love for you to share Flood Action Week content on your social media, and share key messages around flood preparedness and resilience. Follow us on X, formerly known as @EnvAgencySW Visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/environmentagencywessex
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Prolonged Dry Weather After the driest March to August period since the drought of 1976, wet weather finally returned in September with 98mm, 142% of long-term average rainfall. However, the majority of this fell in the first two weeks, and since then we have returned to largely dry weather. It can take a long time for rainfall to fully replenish groundwaters, reservoirs and rivers. The environment can take even longer to recover. Therefore, we’ll continue monitoring the situation and act where necessary to protect the environment and wildlife. The Environment Agency continues to work nationally to monitor and respond to drought conditions. Through the National Drought Group, we’re coordinating efforts with water companies, farmers, environmental organisations and local authorities to safeguard water supplies and protect wildlife. You can read more about the national response here.
How can you help? Everyone can continue to play a part in managing the impact of dry weather:
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Thank you to everyone who came along to the recent Flood Pod tour in Somerset. Mary Long-Dhonau, national expert in Property Flood Resilience, shared her expertise with people across South Somerset, with the feedback from attendees overwhelmingly positive. Mary has recently published a new directory of PFR suppliers, which can be found here: Attention! Introducing the NEW Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Directory! – Flood Mary
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Flood Warden Support |
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Flood Warden Lunch and Learn Sessions Future Sessions:
NB. Online sessions start at 12:30pm for 30 mins with an extra 30 mins for Q&A. Reminders and joining details are emailed during the preceding week. Where appropriate, we are recording these sessions so you can catch up on previous sessions. Videos are 30mins in length and a good resource to share with flood volunteers and interested people within your community. We will continue to update this list in future newsletters. Natural Flood Management – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pAXjjh56oY Flash Flooding – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcK2ufdPTwg Property Flood Resilience (PFR) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KDAaupa4h0 Introduction to the Flood Warden Role – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_niBfDjQQU Thank you all for your continued efforts in supporting your communities and please do not hesitate to contact us at if you require further assistance with the Flood Warden role. |
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Upcoming Events |
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Somerset Flood Group Networks
Initial groups will be based on four of our major catchments, the Tone, Parrett-Yeo-Isle, Brue-Axe and Somerset Frome. Details for West Somerset will follow soon. You can check your catchment here: Map of Somerset river catchments and sub-catchments – Somerset Rivers Authority Catchment meeting dates: · 12 November – Parrett Catchment at The Angel, Langport · 13 November – River Tone Catchment at Cotford St Luke Village Hall · 20 November – Axe-Brue Catchment at Godney Village Hall · 25 November – Somerset Frome at Nunney Village Hall All sessions run from 10am to 12pm and include refreshments. Please let us know which meeting you plan to attend, and feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.
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Somerset Prepared Resilience Roadshow – Glastonbury
Monday 10 November 2025 Drop-in: 3.30 – 5.30pm The Main Hall, Glastonbury Town Hall, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9EL Book your place here: Flood Warden Workshop Booking Form – Glastonbury (office.com) |
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Partner Updates |
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Bristol City Council – Bristol Avon Flood Strategy: Next Phase Launches
Flooding along the River Avon can result from high river flows, tidal surges, or a combination of the two. With climate change, this risk is expected to grow, potentially affecting thousands more homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. This next phase – developing the Full Business Case – will run for 4–5 years and will involve working with local communities, interested groups, businesses and others to design flood defences that not only better protect but also enhance the riverside environment. Our vision is for flood defences that deliver everyday benefits – such as riverside seating, improved walking and cycling routes, and greener spaces for wildlife and people alike. Want to get involved or learn more?
Photo credits ‘CB Bristol Design 2025’ |
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Dorset Council update – Help Dorset Build Flood Resilience: Report Flooding with FORT
Flooding is a major risk across Wessex. As flood wardens, you can help by encouraging residents to report any property flooding using Dorset Council’s Flood Online Reporting Tool (FORT).
Why report? Every report, even for minor flooding, helps build a clearer picture of local flood risk. This information supports Dorset Council and the Environment Agency in targeting resources, planning flood defences, and applying for funding. How to report:
What happens next? Your role: Together, we can build a more flood-resilient Wessex.
FORT is also available in a number of other local authority regions in Wessex. |
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Wessex Water update – Community Drop-Ins Community Drop-Ins | Wessex Water For advice or questions about Wessex Water Services, pop into one of their community drop-in sessions which are being held at locations across their whole water supply and wastewater area. This is a chance to speak with a Customer Adviser who will act as the point of contact for your local community. These sessions could be helpful for residents, businesses, and flood wardens. They can:
All session dates can be found via the link above. Sessions will be held from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm. You do not have to book – just show up on the day. If you would like to arrange a dedicated time slot, please email . Pinned locations of the drop ins
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Water Situation Report – July, August, September 2025 Rainfall – March to August this year was the second driest on record. In July, Wessex Area moved into a status of Prolonged Dry Weather (PDW). Although September brought an abrupt change in weather with increased rainfall, there has been no significant coastal or fluvial response, and the area remains in PDW. Figure 1: Monthly rainfall totals for the past 24 months as a percentage of the 1961 to 1990 long term average for each region and for England.
Groundwater – From June to August, the majority of groundwater sites in Wessex, particularly those monitoring the Chalk aquifer, consistently reported below normal or notable low levels, with Oakley Industrial Estate recording exceptionally low readings each month. A few exceptions showed normal levels: Didmarton (June and July), Overcompton (July), and Allington (August). Reservoir storage declined steadily, with Wessex Water dropping from 71% in June to 42% by August, and Bristol Water falling from 66% to 39% over the same period. Tidal situation – Though some tidal flood alerts were pro-actively issued in September based on forecast conditions combined with spring tides, no flooding issues were reported. Flood Alerts and Warnings issued in Wessex
Table 1: Flood alerts and warnings issued from June to September 2025 Read the full water situation reports here: Water situation: area monthly reports for England – GOV.UK |
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