In England and Wales the Environment Agency operates a flood warning service in areas at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. Using the latest available technology, Agency staff monitor rainfall, river levels and sea conditions 24 hours a day and use this information to forecast the possibility of flooding. If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued using a set of four easily recognisable codes.

Each of the four codes indicates the level of danger associated with the warning. The codes are not always used in sequence; for example in the case of a flash flood, a Severe Flood Warning may be issued immediately, with no other warning code preceding it.

The warnings are updated on the Environment Agency website every 15 minutes. Flood warnings are also displayed on ITV Teletext regional weather pages (page 154), on BBC Ceefax (page 419) and BBC Ceefax on Digital TV (page 405) or you can contact the Agency's 24 hour Floodline 0845 988 1188

Alternatively the Met Office from July 2009 have launched a free subscription service available to the public to receive email weather alerts. The link to this free service is located in the 'more information' panel to the right of this page. 

Flooding possible- Be aware! Be prepared!
Watch out!

Flooding expected affecting homes, businesses and main roads. Act now !


Severe flooding expected. Imminent danger to life and property. Act now !

An all-clear will be issued when flood watches warnings are no longer in force. Floodwater levels receding. Check all is safe to return. Seek advice.