The government has launched a taskforce to prepare for extreme weather and the increased risk of flooding this winter.
The first meeting, hosted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on Wednesday, will include the Met Office, Environment Agency, mayoral authorities and representatives from the farming, water and insurance sectors.
The Met Office has forecast a heightened potential for wet, windy and stormy conditions in the coming months. Its seasonal outlook indicates a greater likelihood of wetter-than-average autumn conditions, partly linked to the El Niño weather pattern.
Millions remain at risk
The Environment Agency estimates that about 6.3 million homes and businesses in England remain at risk of flooding.
It said flooding was not guaranteed this winter, but the chances of repeated storms, prolonged rainfall and saturated catchments were higher than average. The agency has advised households to check their flood risk, register for warnings and prepare a flood plan.
Defra Minister Emma Hardy said: “We’re facing extreme weather, with flood and drought intertwined but the government is taking decisive action.”
She 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 government has committed at least £10.5bn through to 2036 to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure from flooding.
Warnings follow year of extremes
The taskforce follows a year of severe weather across the UK, including the country’s hottest summer on record in 2026. The previous winter brought four named storms—Bram, Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra—and several major flooding events.
According to the Met Office, England received 42% more rainfall than its winter average during that period.
The weather service has said this year’s El Niño is likely to be the strongest in living memory, with its peak not expected until the end of the year.