2 December 2023
Amber snow warning issued for Cumbria
The Met Office issued an amber warning for snow across much of Cumbria on 2 December 2023, valid until midnight, with 10 to 15 cm of snow possible before showers ease overnight.
News
We cover news from public bodies and utility companies for UK households on power cuts, weather, water, health, safety and security. Each report includes the date and sources, with links to our guides.
December 2023
1 December 2023
Emergency Alerts service launched and ready to use
The government has launched the Emergency Alerts service, which sends warnings to compatible smartphones when there is an imminent threat to life, and says it is now fully operational.
1 December 2023
Average ambulance waits for heart attacks and strokes rise to 46 minutes in England
NHS England figures show average category 2 ambulance response times, covering suspected heart attacks and strokes, reached 46 minutes in December, up from 39 minutes in November and against an 18…
1 December 2023
Major communication providers sign PSTN charter
Major UK communication providers signed a voluntary government agreement in December 2023 to protect vulnerable customers, including telecare users, during the migration of landlines to digital…
1 December 2023
Storms in winter 2023/24 caused devastating flood damage across the UK
The British Red Cross has published new UK-wide research on flood risk awareness and resilience, revisiting its earlier polling after the storms of winter 2023/24 and setting out updated…
November 2023
30 November 2023
Radiation emergencies public guidance first published
The UK Health Security Agency first published public guidance on 30 November 2023 setting out actions members of the public can take to protect themselves in a radiation emergency.
24 November 2023
Hunter Price licensed hot water bottles recalled over burns risk
Four Hunter Price licensed hot water bottles, sold in Hogwarts, Barbie and Gabby's Dollhouse designs, have been recalled because a weak joint at the top seam may pose a burns risk.
15 November 2023
NAO finds flood capital programme to protect far fewer properties than promised
The National Audit Office reports that England's flood capital programme will protect far fewer properties by 2027 than promised, and that a £34 million maintenance shortfall has raised flood risk to…
15 November 2023
Community flood plan guidance updated
The Environment Agency updated its community flood plan guidance on GOV.UK on 15 November 2023, setting out what community plans should cover before, during and after a flood in England.
13 November 2023
Amber wind warning issued for North Yorkshire as Storm Debi hits
North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said an amber wind warning covered western parts of North Yorkshire on 13 November 2023 as Storm Debi affected the county, with yellow wind and rain warnings…
10 November 2023
Suffolk councils receive 750 reports of internal flooding from Storm Babet
Suffolk councils have received 750 reports of internal flooding to homes and businesses after Storm Babet, with financial support under the Government's Flood Recovery Framework due to start reaching…
9 November 2023
BHF launches free Community Defibrillator Fund offering 220 defibrillators
The British Heart Foundation has opened applications for 220 free defibrillator packages for UK communities, funded with support from Royal Mail and aimed at areas with high deprivation and limited…
4 November 2023
Flood threat from Storm Ciarán remains with 41 warnings and 158 alerts in England
The Environment Agency reported 41 flood warnings and 158 flood alerts across England on 4 November 2023, with around 260 properties flooded by Storm Ciarán and approximately 13,000 protected.
4 November 2023
Government activates Flood Recovery Framework for flood-hit areas in England
The Government has activated the Flood Recovery Framework for areas of England hit by exceptional localised flooding, as the Environment Agency reports around 260 properties flooded after Storm…
3 November 2023
EA staff industrial action during Storm Ciarán cancelled
Environment Agency staff will not take part in four days of industrial action planned from 3 November after discussions with Unison, as the agency continues its response to Storm Ciarán.
3 November 2023
Storm Ciarán leaves more than 18,000 homes without water in Southampton and New Forest areas
Storm Ciarán left more than 18,000 homes in Southampton and the New Forest without water or on low pressure after run-off into the River Test forced Southern Water to shut its Testwood works.
2 November 2023
SSEN restores supplies to 35,000 customers following Storm Ciarán
SSEN Distribution restored power to 35,000 customers after Storm Ciarán brought gusts of almost 70mph to central southern England, deploying a 1,400-strong team and taking over 3,200 calls.
1 November 2023
Storms Babet and Ciarán prompt over 750 flood warnings
The Environment Agency issued more than 750 flood warnings, including five severe flood warnings, during storms Babet and Ciarán in autumn and winter 2023, with about 5,000 properties flooded.
1 November 2023
Met Office issues amber wind warning for Storm Ciarán across Devon and parts of Somerset
The Met Office issued an amber warning for very strong winds across Devon and parts of Somerset from late on Wednesday 1 November until Thursday 2 November, with yellow rain warnings elsewhere.
1 November 2023
NIFRS responds to third day of flooding across Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service responded to flooding across Northern Ireland for a third day, receiving 384 emergency calls between 30 October and 1 November 2023, of which 162 were flood…