The three levels
| Message | What it means | Usually issued |
|---|---|---|
| Flood alert | Flooding is possible. Prepare now. | 2 to 12 hours before flooding, during waking hours where possible |
| Flood warning | Flooding is expected. Act now. | 30 minutes to 2 hours before flooding |
| Severe flood warning | Flooding could cause danger to life and significant disruption to communities. Act now. | When flooding threatens life and communities. Can be issued before, during or after flooding. |
Flooding can happen even if you do not live near a river or the sea.
Flood alert: prepare
When a flood alert is issued, the Environment Agency says you should:
- be ready to follow your flood plan
- have insurance documents and any medicines ready
- avoid walking, cycling or driving through any flood water
- move any livestock and farming equipment away from areas likely to flood
At this level, fields, car parks, minor roads, farmland and coastal areas hit by spray or waves are most at risk. It is also a good moment to charge phones and put a torch somewhere easy to find.
Flood warning: act now
When a flood warning is issued, the Environment Agency says you should:
- protect yourself and your loved ones
- move your loved ones, pets and valuables to a safe place
- move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building
- turn off the gas, electricity and water in your home if it is safe
- put flood protection equipment in place
- do as the emergency services tell you
- help others if it is safe to do so
Homes, businesses, roads, railways, campsites and caravan parks on flood plains can all be at risk.
Severe flood warning: danger to life
When a severe flood warning is issued, the Environment Agency says you should:
- stay in a safe place
- be ready to evacuate your home
- do as the emergency services tell you
- call 999 if you are in immediate danger
- if you are caught in a flash flood, move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building if it is safe
Do not walk, cycle or drive through flood water. It can be deep and fast-flowing and can carry dangerous debris.
Sign up for free warnings
- England: sign up for flood warnings on GOV.UK. Messages come by phone, text or email. You can also check flooding in the next 5 days.
- Scotland: SEPA Floodline.
- Wales: Natural Resources Wales flood warning service.
- Northern Ireland: see NI Direct flooding advice for who to contact and how to report flooding.
Flood warnings and weather warnings are different
A Met Office rain warning is about the weather. A flood alert or warning is about rivers, the sea or groundwater rising at specific places. You can have one without the other. See Met Office warnings explained.
Quick reference
- Emergency or danger to life
- 999
- Floodline (24 hours)
- 0345 988 1188
- Floodline textphone
- 0345 602 6340
- Power cut or fallen lines
- 105
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Official sources we used
- Flood alerts and warnings: what they are and what to do (Environment Agency)
- Sign up for flood warnings (GOV.UK / Environment Agency)
- Check for flooding in the next 5 days (GOV.UK)
- What to do during a flood (GOV.UK)
- Personal flood plan (Environment Agency)
- Register for Floodline (Scotland) (SEPA)
- Flood warning service (Wales) (Natural Resources Wales)
- Flooding (NI Direct)
- Flooding (Be Ready, UK Government)