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The government has established a new taskforce aimed at addressing extreme weather events, particularly the threat of flooding this winter. This initiative comes in response to a summer marked by record-breaking heat, as officials prepare for what the Met Office has identified as an increased risk of wet, windy, and stormy conditions in the upcoming months.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Minister Emma Hardy emphasized the government’s proactive stance, stating, “We’re facing extreme weather, with flood and drought intertwined but the government is taking decisive action.” The taskforce’s first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday and will include key participants such as the Met Office, the Environment Agency, mayoral authorities, as well as representatives from the farming, water, and insurance sectors.
According to the Environment Agency, around 6.3 million homes and businesses in England remain vulnerable to flooding. In light of this, the government has pledged at least £10.5 billion through to 2036 to safeguard residences, commercial properties, and essential infrastructure from escalating flood risks. Hardy added, “This will put communities and businesses at the heart of our work and will make sure the UK is ready for whatever the weather brings next.”
The Met Office’s seasonal outlook points to a higher chance of wetter than usual conditions this autumn, influenced partly by the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to reach its peak towards the end of the year. The Environment Agency cautions that while flooding is not certain, the probability of repeated storms, sustained rainfall, and saturated landscapes is above average this winter. Homeowners are encouraged to assess their flood risk, sign up for alerts, and develop flood plans to better prepare for potential emergencies. This advisory follows a year of extreme weather in the UK, including a record-breaking summer in 2026 and a previous winter featuring four named storms—Bram, Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra—that led to significant flooding and 42% more rainfall than the typical winter average in England
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