Severn Trent issued advice to customers on 8 January 2026 as Storm Goretti was set to bring snow, ice, rain and winds to its region1. Hafren Dyfrdwy issued the same advice to its customers on the same day2. Both companies said their teams are ready to manage any storm-related incident1.
The Met Office has issued snow and ice warnings for Thursday and Friday as Storm Goretti, which has been named as the first storm of the year by French forecasters, is set to arrive1. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its amber cold health alerts across England until midday on Sunday1.
The two companies set out who customers should contact about flooding, with one difference between them on major river flooding:
| Type of flooding | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Roads, blocked drains or grates on highways, groundwater surface flooding, streams, brooks and small rivers | Local council1 |
| Major river flooding | Environment Agency, Flood line 0345 988 1188 (Severn Trent customers)1; Natural Resources Wales (Hafren Dyfrdwy customers)2 |
| Public sewer flooding or flooding from burst pipes | The water company; customers should also contact their insurer1 |
Severn Trent said that where flooding is due to heavy rain, it may need to wait for the flood water to subside before it can investigate1. Hafren Dyfrdwy gave the same advice2. Hafren Dyfrdwy provides a water only service in Wrexham and parts of Denbighshire and Flintshire, and both a water and wastewater service in Powys2.
Both companies advised households to empty water butts in the garden before the rain starts, to check that home and garden drains are free-flowing and clear leaves or other waste, and to look at roadside drains and clear debris where possible, contacting the local council if a drain is blocked1. On pipes, they advised wrapping all pipework, fittings and storage tanks in unheated areas such as lofts, roofs, outbuildings and garages with insulation, using good quality waterproof foam lagging, and either insulating outside taps or draining them down to the pipework that links to the tap1.
Howard Perry, Network Operations Lead at Severn Trent, said:
"Freezing conditions followed by warmer weather can cause bursts."
He said water in pipes can freeze and expand in cold weather, blocking them and causing bursts including when they unfreeze in warmer conditions, causing damage to the home1. He said pipe lagging and tap jackets can be found at local hardware stores, and that finding the stop tap and knowing how to turn it on and off is important in case of a leak at home, with stop taps usually found under the kitchen sink, downstairs toilet or utility room1. Severn Trent said a registered plumber can check household pipes if someone is concerned about their own DIY abilities, and that it supports watersafe.org.uk, an online search facility for qualified and approved plumbers1.
On supply problems, Severn Trent advised customers with low pressure or no water first to check whether neighbours are having similar trouble; if their supply is normal it is likely a plumber is needed, and if more than one household is affected customers should call its 24 hour emergency number, 0800 783 44441.
Why it matters for households
The advice covers households in the Severn Trent region and in the Hafren Dyfrdwy area of Wrexham, parts of Denbighshire and Flintshire, and Powys1. The Met Office snow and ice warnings apply to Thursday and Friday, and the UKHSA amber cold health alerts across England run until midday on Sunday1. The practical points are who to call for each type of flooding, preparing drains and water butts before heavy rain, and protecting pipes and outside taps against freezing conditions followed by warmer weather1.
What happens next
The Met Office warnings cover Thursday and Friday, and the UKHSA amber cold health alerts across England are extended until midday on Sunday1. Severn Trent said it may need to wait for flood water to subside before investigating flooding caused by heavy rain1. No further dates have been reported.
Households wanting more detail can read the guide to storms, snow and ice and the guide to flooding.
Snow and Ice Household Guide
