7 Dec 2024 – 8 Dec 2024
Wales, Western England
Wales,England
Storm Darragh brought severe gales and heavy rain to Wales and western England, with a rare red weather warning issued. Wind gusts exceeded 90mph in exposed areas, causing power outages and localised flooding, particularly in already-saturated catchments in Wales.
named storm
wind
flood
23 Nov 2024 – 24 Nov 2024
Wales, Central and Northern England
Wales,England
Severn, Wye, Teme, Conwy
Storm Bert brought a potent combination of heavy rain, strong winds, and in places snow across the UK. Over 700 properties were flooded, with Wales and the Welsh Marches worst affected. A month's worth of rain fell in just 24 hours across parts of Mid Wales.
river
named storm
river flood
2 Jan 2024 – 5 Jan 2024
Midlands, Southern England
England
Severn, Avon, Soar, Trent
300+ warnings issued properties
Storm Henk brought intense rainfall to an already waterlogged England, triggering over 300 flood warnings — the highest number simultaneously active in years. The Midlands were worst affected, with the Severn and Avon breaching defences at multiple locations.
river
named storm
widespread
river flood
20 Feb 2022 – 21 Feb 2022
Midlands, Northern England
England
Severn, Wye, Trent
The third named storm in a week, Storm Franklin combined with already-saturated ground to cause river flooding across the Midlands. The Severn reached near-record levels at Shrewsbury and Bewdley, with flood barriers tested to their limits.
river
named storm
river flood
18 Feb 2022
Southern England, South Wales
England,Wales
Storm Eunice was one of the most powerful storms to hit the UK in decades, with a gust of 122mph recorded at The Needles on the Isle of Wight. A rare red weather warning was issued for London and southern England. While primarily a wind event, it caused coastal flooding and storm surges along the south coast.
named storm
coastal
wind
coastal flood
26 Nov 2021 – 27 Nov 2021
Scotland, Northern England
Scotland,England
Storm Arwen was one of the most powerful storms to hit the UK in years, with gusts exceeding 100mph. While primarily a wind event that caused widespread power outages lasting weeks, it also brought coastal flooding and snow. Three people died.
named storm
coastal
wind
coastal flood
19 Jan 2021 – 22 Jan 2021
Northern England, North Wales
England,Wales
Mersey, Dee, Weaver, Bollin
Storm Christoph brought persistent heavy rainfall across northern England and Wales over three days, with over 100mm falling widely. Major incident status was declared in Manchester, and thousands were evacuated from areas at risk along the River Mersey.
river
named storm
river flood
15 Feb 2020 – 17 Feb 2020
South Wales, Midlands, Yorkshire
Wales,England
Taff, Neath, Severn, Wye
5 deaths
Thousands properties
Coming just a week after Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis caused devastating flooding particularly in South Wales, where numerous valleys were inundated. The Taff valley was severely hit, with Pontypridd town centre flooded. More than 5 deaths were attributed to the storm across the UK.
river
named storm
widespread
river flood
8 Feb 2020 – 10 Feb 2020
Northwest England, Yorkshire, Wales
England,Wales
Calder, Aire, Irwell, Ribble
3 deaths
Hundreds properties
Storm Ciara brought severe gales and heavy rainfall across the UK, with gusts exceeding 90mph. The already-saturated Calder Valley flooded again, with communities in Hebden Bridge and Todmorden suffering their third major flood in five years. Three people died during the storm.
river
named storm
repeat flooding
river flood
7 Nov 2019 – 14 Nov 2019
South Yorkshire
England
Don
1 deaths
1,000+ properties
An entire month's rainfall fell in a single day across parts of Yorkshire. The village of Fishlake near Doncaster was completely inundated when the River Don burst its banks, displacing over 1,000 residents. Many complained of inadequate flood defences and slow emergency response.
river
village inundation
river flood
20 Nov 2016 – 21 Nov 2016
Southern England
England
Storm Angus brought heavy rain and gusts up to 97mph to southern England, causing localised flooding and transport disruption. While less severe than the 2015 storms, it served as an early warning for the flood season.
named storm
coastal
flood
29 Dec 2015 – 30 Dec 2015
Scotland, Northern England
Scotland,England
Dee, Don, Tay, Nith
The third named storm in December 2015, Storm Frank brought heavy rainfall and gale force winds primarily to Scotland. The village of Ballater on Royal Deeside was particularly badly hit, with the River Dee reaching its highest level in over 100 years.
river
named storm
river flood
26 Dec 2015 – 27 Dec 2015
West Yorkshire
England
Calder, Hebden Water
The Calder Valley towns of Todmorden and Hebden Bridge were devastated by flooding during Storm Eva, just months after recovering from previous floods. The River Calder reached record levels, flooding hundreds of homes and businesses in these close-knit communities.
river
repeat flooding
river flood
26 Dec 2015 – 28 Dec 2015
York
England
Ouse, Foss
During Storm Eva, the Foss Barrier in York was deliberately raised after pumping systems failed, leading to significant flooding in the city centre. The River Ouse reached its highest level since 2000, flooding hundreds of homes and businesses across the historic city.
river
infrastructure failure
river flood
25 Dec 2015 – 27 Dec 2015
Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester
England
Aire, Calder, Irwell, Ribble
Coming just weeks after Storm Desmond, Storm Eva brought further devastating flooding on Boxing Day, particularly across the Calder and Aire valleys. Over 4,000 properties were flooded. The Foss Barrier in York failed to hold, flooding the city centre.
river
named storm
river flood
5 Dec 2015 – 6 Dec 2015
Cumbria, Lancashire, North East
England,Scotland
Eden, Lune, Tyne, Kent (Cumbria)
3 deaths
16,000+ properties
£1,300M estimated cost
Storm Desmond brought record-breaking rainfall to Cumbria, with 341.4mm falling at Honister Pass in 24 hours — a new UK record. Over 16,000 properties were flooded. Carlisle was devastated for the second time in a decade. The total insured cost exceeded £1.3 billion, making it one of the most expensive UK flood events.
river
named storm
rainfall record
widespread
river flood
6 Jan 2014 – 28 Feb 2014
Thames Valley
England
Thames
The wettest January since records began caused prolonged flooding along the River Thames, with levels rising to near the 1947 record. Thousands of homes were flooded across Berkshire and Surrey. The Army was deployed to help with sandbagging and evacuations.
river
prolonged
river flood
1 Dec 2013 – 1 Mar 2014
Somerset
England
Parrett, Tone
Persistent rainfall from December 2013 to February 2014 caused the Somerset Levels to flood extensively, with some areas remaining underwater for three months. Over 600 homes were flooded and the village of Moorland was evacuated. The event reignited debate about river dredging and land management.
river
prolonged
lowland
river flood
19 Nov 2009 – 20 Nov 2009
Lake District, Cumbria
England
Derwent, Cocker
1 deaths
1,300+ properties
£276M estimated cost
A record-breaking 316.4mm of rain fell at Seathwaite in 24 hours — the highest ever recorded in England. The resulting floods devastated Cockermouth and Workington, where PC Bill Barker died when the Northside Bridge collapsed. Over 1,300 properties were flooded across Cumbria.
river
rainfall record
river flood
20 Jul 2007 – 25 Jul 2007
Gloucestershire
England
Severn, Avon
The Severn and Avon rivers reached record levels at Tewkesbury, flooding Mythe water treatment works and cutting off the town's water supply for 17 days. The iconic image of Tewkesbury Abbey surrounded by floodwater became a symbol of the 2007 floods. Walham electricity substation nearly flooded, which would have cut power to 500,000 homes.
river
infrastructure
record levels
river flood
25 Jun 2007 – 26 Jun 2007
South Yorkshire
England
Don
Intense rainfall caused catastrophic surface water flooding across South Yorkshire, with the village of Toll Bar near Doncaster among the hardest hit. Over 1,200 homes were flooded, and residents were stranded for days as floodwater remained at dangerous levels.
surface water
river
surface water flood
15 Jun 2007 – 28 Jul 2007
Nationwide — Yorkshire, Midlands, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire
England,Wales
Don, Severn, Thames, Avon, Ouse
13 deaths
55,000+ properties
£3,200M estimated cost
The wettest May-July since records began in 1766 caused the most expensive inland flood event in UK history. Two separate waves of flooding affected England — first in June across Yorkshire and Humber, then in July across the Midlands and South West. 13 people died and over 55,000 properties were flooded.
river
surface water
widespread
record cost
flood
8 Jan 2005 – 9 Jan 2005
Carlisle, Cumbria
England
Eden, Caldew, Petteril
3 deaths
3,000+ properties
£400M estimated cost
Exceptional rainfall caused all three rivers running through Carlisle to reach record levels simultaneously. Over 3,000 properties were flooded, three people died, and the city centre was devastated. The River Eden reached its highest level in over 100 years.
river
record levels
river flood
16 Aug 2004
Boscastle, Cornwall
England
Valency, Jordan
An exceptional thunderstorm dumped 185mm of rain in 5 hours over the hills above Boscastle. The resulting flash flood destroyed 50 cars, damaged 100 homes and businesses, and washed debris into the harbour. Remarkably, no one was killed thanks to a major helicopter rescue operation.
flash flood
river
flash flood
9 Oct 2000 – 10 Dec 2000
Nationwide
England,Wales
Severn, Ouse, Uck, Medway, Thames tributaries
2 deaths
10,000+ properties
£1,000M estimated cost
The wettest autumn since records began brought prolonged flooding to England and Wales. Over 10,000 properties were flooded, with the historic town of Lewes particularly badly hit when the River Ouse burst its banks. Estimated costs exceeded £1 billion.
river
widespread
prolonged
flood
15 Sep 1968 – 16 Sep 1968
Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent
England
Meon, Lavant, Arun, Medway
8 deaths
Thousands properties
Intense thunderstorms deposited over 100mm of rain in just a few hours across south-east England. The resulting flash flooding killed 8 people, destroyed bridges and roads, and caused widespread damage across Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey.
flash flood
surface water
flash flood
31 Jan 1953 – 1 Feb 1953
East coast of England
England
326 deaths
24,000+ properties
A devastating storm surge struck the east coast of England, overtopping and breaching sea defences. 326 people died in England, with catastrophic flooding across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire. This disaster led directly to the creation of the Thames Barrier and the modern flood warning system.
coastal
storm surge
devastating
historic
storm surge
15 Aug 1952 – 16 Aug 1952
Exmoor, Devon
England
East Lyn, West Lyn
34 deaths
100+ buildings destroyed properties
Extreme rainfall on Exmoor (over 225mm in 24 hours) caused flash flooding that devastated the village of Lynmouth. Walls of water carrying trees and boulders destroyed 100 buildings and 28 bridges, killing 34 people in one of Britain's worst peacetime disasters.
flash flood
river
devastating
flash flood
10 Mar 1947 – 30 Mar 1947
Multiple regions, England and Wales
England,Wales
Thames, Severn, Trent, Ouse
After one of the coldest winters on record, a rapid thaw combined with heavy rain caused catastrophic flooding across England and Wales. Over 100,000 homes were affected, vast areas of agricultural land were inundated, and the economic damage was enormous for post-war Britain.
river
widespread
snowmelt
flood
7 Jan 1928
London
England
River Thames
14 deaths
Thousands properties
A combination of heavy snowmelt and a high spring tide caused the Thames to overflow its banks in central London. The embankment was breached in several places, flooding basements across Westminster and killing 14 people, mostly in basement dwellings.
river
tidal
historic
river flood
