As the UK moves from a summer of record heat into a season likely to bring more storms, experts are warning that many households remain vulnerable to flooding and should act now to reduce damage.
The accelerating climate crisis and a record-breaking El Niño have increased the likelihood of intense winter rainfall, and officials and specialists say both government-level investment in flood defences and local preparedness will be required. With the flood season only weeks away, the focus has turned to what people can do at home and in their neighbourhoods to make properties more resilient.
Practical household measures
Specialists interviewed for the piece pointed to a mix of simple, low-cost measures and small adaptations that can cut the risk of water entering homes. Examples highlighted include fitting self-closing airbricks and other vent covers to stop flows through subfloor vents, using soft objects such as deflated footballs as temporary wedges under doors, and reassessing garden planting to replace very water‑hungry species with more flood-tolerant varieties. Clearing gutters and ensuring drains are unobstructed were also recommended as straightforward steps to reduce the chance of local surface-water build-up.
Preparing interiors and possessions
Experts advised homeowners to consider moving valuable items and critical services (such as electrical sockets and boilers) above likely flood levels where possible, and to use water-resistant materials for floors and skirting in vulnerable rooms. They stressed that a combination of measures — such as temporary door barriers, quick-access emergency kits, and a household plan for shutting off utilities — can limit damage and speed recovery after a flood event.
Community and government roles
While household action can reduce individual risk, specialists and campaigners emphasised that long-term resilience depends on coordinated public investment. They said improvements to flood defences, better regional planning and sustained maintenance of drainage infrastructure are necessary to protect millions of properties identified as at risk. Local community schemes — from volunteer sandbag teams to coordinated drain-clearing drives — are also cited as valuable complements to national measures.
With forecasts pointing to an unsettled winter and the official flood season imminent, experts urged residents to act now rather than wait. Simple steps taken before storms arrive can reduce the physical and financial toll of flooding, they said, even as pressure grows for wider policy responses to address the root causes and systemic vulnerabilities.