Majority of UK households not signed up for flood alerts, despite growing impact of severe weather, says British Red Cross

More than two thirds (67%) of UK households said they were impacted by recent storms and floods since the start of 2026, with 12% reporting high or severe impact, according to new research from the British Red Cross. Despite this, almost three quarters (73%) of people said they had not signed up to flood alerts.  

The findings come amid the widespread impacts of storms Chandra, Goretti and recent severe weather, with parts of the UK enduring 50 days of continuous rain. The Met Office has issued 154 severe weather warnings so far this year.   

Around a third of people said they did not feel confident in knowing what actions to take to prepare themselves or their homes. The British Red Cross is calling for clearer, targeted information to ensure more people know what to do before, during and after flooding.  

Béatrice Butsana-Sita, Chief Executive Officer of the British Red Cross, said:   

“The frequency and intensity of severe weather events in the UK are increasing, yet too often people don’t have the information they need to protect themselves and their homes. The fact that three‑quarters of people aren’t signed up for flood alerts shows more needs to be done towards raising people’s awareness of risks.     

“Getting timely information is vital. Flood water can move quickly and take people by surprise – this is something our teams hear often when they’re out supporting communities. When guidance is accessible and relevant to people’s circumstances, they are better able to keep themselves and those around them safe. As severe weather becomes more frequent, we need to get to a place where every household is ready to act.” 

The polling highlighted a range of barriers and preferences around flood information: 

• Around 1 in 5 (19%) said they either didn’t know where they would check for flood information, or that they wouldn’t want to check for flood alerts or warnings. 
• Reasons for not signing up for flood alerts included people feeling they were not at risk, not knowing the service existed or they didn’t think it would be relevant or helpful.
• When asked how they would most like to receive flood alert information and updates, text messages were the most popular option (46%). If they wanted to check for official flood alerts and warnings, people said they would go to official websites such as Met Office (38%) and Gov.UK (29%) websites.  
• When asked what authorities should prioritise, the top answer (48%) was improving infrastructure to address flood impact, followed by easier access to funding and strengthening regulations so that buyers and renters are better informed about the flood risk for their potential new home. Improved access to flood information and education was also a key concern, particularly among those who had experienced flooding or were most affected by this year’s severe weather.  

Recent storms have also highlighted the importance of people having a range of information sources, with internet and power being affected in some areas.

During Storm Goretti, Red Cross emergency response teams in Cornwall carried out welfare checks for residents cut off by prolonged power outages, ensuring they had basic supplies and could reconnect with worried relatives. 

The British Red Cross urges people to:  

• Sign up for official flood alerts   
• Prepare a simple emergency kit with essentials like medication, a phone charger and warm clothing  
• Check on neighbours, especially older people or those with health conditions  
• Access British Red Cross guidance on how to prepare for and respond to flooding and call the telephone support line on 0808 196 3651  

ENDS  

Notes to editors 

Methodology

Survey questions were asked on the Opinium Omnibus, which is an online survey of 2,000 UK adults (18 and over). Results have been weighted to be nationally representative. Fieldwork took place between 13 February 2026 -17 February 2026.  

Further findings

Impact of storms and flooding 

• 67% of the UK public said they had been impacted by the recent storms and floods since the start of the year (including Storms Chandra, Goretti and others). 
• 22% have experienced flooding or live in a flood risk area. 
• 11% did not know if they lived in an area at risk of flooding.  
• Among those impacted by this year’s floods, or by previous floods, 61% said they didn’t live in a flood risk area. This suggests either floods are happening beyond flood risk areas, or that people may not be aware of their flood risk, or if it has changed 

Understanding and use of flood alerts  

• 19% said they either didn’t know where they would check for flood information (9%), or that they wouldn’t want to check (10%) for flood alerts or warnings.  

Reasons for not signing up for flood alerts included:  

• people feeling they were not at risk (42%) 
• not knowing the service existed (23%)  
• they didn’t think it would be relevant or helpful (21%) 
•  they weren’t sure how to sign up (7%)
• they didn’t like sharing their contact information (4%). 

 Preferences for receiving information 

• When asked how they would most like to receive flood alert information and updates, text messages were the most popular option (46%) 
• If they wanted to check for official flood alerts, people said they would go to official websites such as Met Office (38%) and Gov.UK (29%) websites. 

Impact on homes, finances and wellbeing 

• 15% of people said they’d experienced a flood in their home or a previous home.  
• 47% considered the damage to their home was severe or moderate  
• 43% of people experienced severe or moderate impact to their finances 
• 41% reported severe or moderate damage to their local area 
• 40% said they’d experienced or severe or moderate impact to their mental health 

Financial losses included repair costs, replacing household items, relocation costs and increased insurance premiums. 

Social and practical impacts included: 

• 27% of those affected by a flood in their home also mentioned social losses, such as isolation, or closure of local facilities 
• 26% said that they experienced household disruption, such as having to temporarily move out or only use part of their home 
• 24% mentioned losing sentimental items
• 15% said they’d had physical health impacts  

Preparedness  

Among those who had been flooded in the past five years:  

• 34% said they’d checked social media or local community groups for updates 
• 15% they’d checked on vulnerable neighbours or relatives 
• Only around 1 in 10 had taken actions to prepare their household or property, for example moving their car to higher ground, moving pets or important items to a safe place, or even charging up a mobile phone in case of power failures. 
• Around 11% said that hadn’t taken any action from the options presented, which are commonly given in general flood advice.

British Red Cross research  

More research on flooding and resilience is available at the British Red Cross Research and Publications page. 

Our most recent report, Water's Edge, shows that the ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding is not experienced equally by all communities.   

Case study: Supporting isolated residents during Storm Goretti  

During and after Storm Goretti, British Red Cross emergency response teams in Cornwall were deployed over the course of seven days, carrying out urgent welfare checks for people left without power and unable to receive vital information. Prolonged outages meant many vulnerable residents had no heating, limited communication and reduced access to support.    

Jennifer Land, senior emergency response officer for Cornwall and Devon, was deployed alongside emergency response volunteers in January as calls came into the Red Cross support line from families unable to reach older relatives. One of the first welfare checks was for a woman in her 80s, who had been without power for three days and had no working landline after being switched off the analogue system. Jen and her team provided torches and reassurance, then updated her worried daughter.   

Later, the team reached a 93-year-old woman using candles to move around her home. They fitted a head torch to her walking frame, supplied her with an analogue phone, heat blankets and hot water thermos, and helped her locate her medication. Volunteers noted that many households had not received alerts or had no way to access updates once the power went down.  

The team also supported a street that had been without power and water for more than 48 hours, providing door-to-door welfare checks for elderly residents, including a 98-year-old man.   

Reflecting on the response, Jennifer said the role of the Red Cross team was to provide “warmth, light and reassurance” during an isolating and stressful time. She also praised the strong community resilience she witnessed, including local groups in St Day who opened their doors for charging devices, hot meals and warm showers for neighbours still without power.  

About the British Red Cross

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders. www.redcross.org.uk