The Government has announced that support will be available to areas in England that have experienced exceptional localised flooding, through activation of the Flood Recovery Framework scheme. The announcement was carried in an Environment Agency press release on Storm Ciarán, last updated at 14:30 on Saturday 4 November 20231.
As of that time there were 41 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 158 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, in place across England1. The Environment Agency reported that approximately 13,000 properties had been protected from the storm, and that the total number of properties reported to have been flooded stood at around 2601. Defences including at Bewdley on the River Severn had been deployed, and further assets were readied to deploy if needed, including temporary and demountable flood barriers and high-volume pumps1.
Minor river and surface water flooding was possible that day across the South and parts of the North East of England, with minor groundwater flooding impacts also possible in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire; river flooding may persist into Sunday1. Further significant surface water and river flooding impacts were possible but not expected in parts of the South East of England due to heavy showers1. The release also set out figures from Storm Babet: an estimated 97,000 properties protected, approximately 2,150 properties reported flooded, and more than 300,000 messages sent by the flood warning service by email, telephone and text1. It said a number of deaths had been widely reported during Storm Babet1.
Planned industrial action by Environment Agency staff was called off. The release said that following discussions with Unison, EA staff would no longer take part in the four days of industrial action initially planned to begin on Friday 3 November at 07001.
"We urge people to stay safe on the coast and to remember to take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades. Flooding of low-lying coastal roads is also possible and people must avoid driving through flood water, as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car."
Why it matters for households
Households in areas covered by the 41 flood warnings face flooding that is expected, and those under the 158 alerts face flooding that is possible1. The activation of the Flood Recovery Framework means support is available to areas that have experienced exceptional localised flooding, although the release does not set out which areas are covered or what the scheme provides; those details have not been reported here1. The Environment Agency advises people to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation through its flood checking service and by following @EnvAgency on X, formerly known as Twitter1. It also advises the public to sign up to flood warnings and check the latest safety advice, as tidal flooding is possible and heavy downpours are likely to fall on saturated ground1. Its flood duty manager advised people to stay safe on the coast, take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and avoid driving through flood water1. Households can read more in the guide to flood warnings and the wider flooding guide, including home insurance in a flood risk area and Flood Re and mental health support after a flood.
What happens next
River flooding may persist into Sunday 5 November in places, and the Environment Agency said its teams remained out on the ground operating assets and working with partners in communities that had experienced flooding1. The release gives no further dates for the Flood Recovery Framework or for which areas will receive support1.
