Environment Agency prepare for more 'freak weather' after Beds' wettest September since records began
The heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding, with Bedfordshire and other counties in southern England experiencing their wettest September since records began in 1836
September 2024 marked the wettest month on record for Bedfordshire, with the county receiving over 182mm of rainfall—three times the average for this time of year.
The heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding, with Bedfordshire and other counties in southern England experiencing their wettest September since records began in 1836.
While the scale of the deluge was surprising, the Environment Agency say they are using the lessons learned to prepare for future challenges.
A record-breaking month
According to the Met Office, southern England saw particularly high rainfall, with some counties recording over 300% of their average September rainfall. In contrast, Scotland and Northern Ireland experienced below-average rainfall.
Sadia Moeed, Regional Director for the Environment Agency in the East of England, acknowledged the unusual nature of this weather event. "We are using the word 'unprecedented' more and more," Moeed said. She highlighted that while around 800 homes were flooded in the UK during September, the Agency’s efforts protected over 11,000 homes.
Preparing for the winter
The Environment Agency has been working to ensure flood defences are in place and pumping stations are fully operational. Sadia explained, “We want to move the water through the river system as quickly as possible to reduce impacts.” She added that over the past few months, the Agency has been focusing on preparing these systems for periods of heavy rain, particularly in areas that are more vulnerable to flooding.
As the winter months approach, Sadia emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance saying "we’re going to have to take every week, every month as it comes".
However, she reassured us that the Environment Agency is working closely with local authorities and emergency services to improve readiness. The Agency is also engaging more with communities at risk by helping them establish flood groups to better prepare for future events.
While the Agency has been focused on responding to the immediate threat of flooding, some question whether a more proactive, long-term approach is needed. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, it raises concerns about the sustainability of current flood prevention efforts.
Sadia highlighted the Agency’s commitment to refining its methods and learning from each event. "We’re getting even better at communication and planning with communities at risk," she said. Adding that lessons learned from this September’s rainfall will help shape future strategies as the Agency works to strike a balance between short-term response and long-term resilience.
A message for affected communities
For those already affected by flooding, Sadia advised residents to contact local authorities for support with temporary accommodation and repairs. "Please report any flood damage," she urged, emphasizing that reports help the Environment Agency understand how changing weather patterns are affecting communities and improve their future responses.