Blog: How parish and town councils can help communities prepare for winter

Led by the Environment Agency, the annual campaign aims to raise awareness of flooding and encourage actions that can reduce its impact on people, property and communities.

The campaign comes at a particularly important time.

Around 6.3 million homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding, while changing weather patterns continue to bring more frequent extremes of rainfall and temperature.

Following a notably wet winter and a record-breaking hot summer, many catchments remain vulnerable to future flooding events.

While councils cannot prevent flooding on their own, they can play a vital role in helping communities become more resilient.

One of the most effective ways parish and town councils can support Flood Action Week is by raising awareness.

Many residents are unaware of their flood risk or do not know where to find reliable information.

Councils can use their websites, newsletters, noticeboards and social media channels to promote key campaign messages and encourage people to visit the new Flood Action Online website, where people can sign up for flood warnings and alerts.

Developed as a one-stop shop for flood information, the site helps residents, businesses and communities understand their risks and find practical advice on preparing for flooding.

Community resilience is another area where parish and town councils can make a real difference.

Many communities benefit from flood action groups or volunteer flood wardens who help monitor local conditions and provide support during flooding incidents.

Councils can strengthen these networks by helping recruit volunteers, providing meeting space and acting as a bridge between residents, emergency responders and local authorities.

Strong community connections often prove invaluable when severe weather strikes.

As winter approaches, councils should also take time to review their own preparedness arrangements.

Community emergency plans should be checked and updated to ensure contact details remain current and roles are clearly understood.

Any local resilience arrangements involving village halls, community centres or other public buildings should be reviewed so facilities can be used effectively if they are needed during an emergency.

Local knowledge can be particularly valuable in identifying flood risks before heavy rainfall arrives.

Parish and town councils are well placed to highlight recurring problems such as blocked drains, overflowing watercourses or roads that regularly flood.

Working with highway authorities, drainage boards, the Environment Agency and local resilience forums can help ensure concerns are recorded and addressed wherever possible.

Supporting vulnerable residents should be a priority within any winter preparedness programme.

Older residents, people with disabilities and those living alone can be disproportionately affected by flooding and severe weather.

Councils can work with local voluntary organisations and community groups to ensure support networks are in place and that those most at risk know where to access help if flooding occurs.

Flood Action Week should not be seen as a standalone campaign but as the start of a wider programme of winter preparedness.

By promoting awareness, strengthening local networks, reviewing emergency plans and encouraging practical action, parish and town councils can help communities become more resilient and better prepared for whatever the winter may bring.

Every action, however small, contributes to reducing the impact of flooding.

By championing Flood Action Week and encouraging residents to prepare now, parish and town councils can help protect lives, property and community wellbeing during the months ahead.

For further information and resources, access the Environment Agency Partner Pack of materials , which contains social media posts, images and videos on Dropbox and Canva.

Materials continue to be updated and added so please always check the link for the latest assets. Please use the hashtag #FloodActionWeek and link to the Flood Action page.

Also follow the Environment Agency on Facebook, X and Instagram and share the content they post there. #FloodActionWeek.