Severn Trent issued advice to customers on Thursday 13 November 2025 as flood warnings were in place across much of its region, with the Met Office forecasting rain and strong winds for Friday and Saturday1. The water company said its teams were ready to manage storm-related incidents1.
The company said strong winds had in the past caused travel disruption, structural damage to buildings, uprooted trees and power cuts1. Scott Ludford, from Severn Trent's Network Control team, said the company was issuing advice again so people know who to contact if flooding happens1.
"There are a number of things you can do to prepare for heavy rain and stormy weather, including checking your drains in your garden and homes, and at the roadside, and emptying your water butts before the rain starts."
Severn Trent set out who customers should contact depending on the source of flooding1:
| 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 from rising river levels | Environment Agency; Floodline 0345 988 11881 |
| Public sewer flooding or flooding from burst pipes | Severn Trent; customers should also contact their insurer1 |
The company said that where flooding is due to heavy rain, it may need to wait for the flood water to subside before it can investigate1. Its other suggested steps include clearing leaves and other waste so rainwater can flow away, checking that home and garden drains are free-flowing, emptying water butts before the rain starts to reduce rainwater flow into drains, and clearing leaves or debris from roadside drains where possible or contacting the local council if they are blocked1.
Why it matters for households
The advice covers much of Severn Trent's region, with the heaviest conditions forecast for Friday and Saturday1. Households can check current alerts and warnings on the flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings page, and the guide to how to sign up for free flood warnings explains the Environment Agency service. The company's points about drains and water butts are aimed at reducing rainwater flowing into sewers during storms1. Its guidance on who to call separates council responsibility for road, surface water and small watercourse flooding from the Environment Agency's role on main rivers and its own role on public sewers1. For households in flood risk areas, the guide to home insurance in a flood risk area and Flood Re covers insurance questions, and flood doors and flood windows covers property measures. The wider flooding guide and the checklist when a flood warning is issued set out preparation steps.
What happens next
The Met Office forecast covers Friday and Saturday1. Severn Trent said it may need to wait for flood water to subside before investigating rain-related flooding1. No further update from the company or the Environment Agency has been reported.
Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings
