Flood Action Week 2025: Farmers urged to plan ahead

After several named storms last winter and Storm Amy earlier this month, communities across the country have been warned not to be complacent about the risk of flooding. 

Flood Action Week, running this year from 13th until 19th October, is the Environment Agency’s annual campaign to encourage people to prepare for flooding by taking proactive steps such as knowing their flood risk, preparing a flood plan, and signing up for flood warnings.  

To support farmers and the rural communities, NFU Mutual has issued flood advice, emphasising the key message – ‘plan ahead’. 

Charlie Yorke, farming propositions manager at NFU Mutual, said: “The isolated nature of farms means often they can be more at risk from extreme weather and flooding, so we would always urge everyone to plan ahead where possible. 

“Unfortunately, many farmers will have experienced the effects of a flood. Farmers should make safety of their family, workers and themselves the top priority when heavy rain is forecast, so it’s vital any preventative work or planning is done before extreme weather hits. If able, have a plan to move livestock to higher ground to protect them from flood water, as well as moving machinery, electrical items and perishable items like stored feed or crops.  

“As well as including plans for moving stock, a good farm flood plan should consider evacuation routes so that you, your family, and employees stay safe. Farms are also homes, and it’s important to prioritise personal safety above all else.” 

Mr Yorke added that NFU Mutual has been working closely with UK farmers to manage their risk for more than a century, and its agents have supported customers through many floods in their communities in the past.  

“If a farmer is unsure about how they can mitigate their risk from flooding, our agents are on hand to chat,” the expert concluded. 

NFU Mutual flood advice  

Flooding preventative tips for farmers:  

• Work out a farm flood plan so that if the worst does happen, everybody knows what action to take and who is responsible for what.  

• If you can, identify higher ground that livestock can be moved to if water levels rise. If you’re renting land in a low-lying area, it’s worth speaking with neighbouring landowners to obtain permission to move livestock to their higher ground if needed.  

• Sign up for Environment Agency flood alerts at the gov.uk website.  

• Safely store fuels and chemicals that could pollute water courses in the event of flooding.  

• Plan an evacuation route so that you, your family and employees stay safe. Keep contact details to hand of people who could help you move livestock in an emergency.  

• Look at your farming practices and how these could impact on flooding and water penetration. Take steps to reduce soil compaction in fields and think about creating runoff ponds.   

• Think about flood resilience measures for buildings which could be vulnerable to flooding. Think about locating electrical sockets and wiring higher up walls so that they’re not susceptible to flooding if water gets in.   

• If you are planning to invest in new buildings, speak to your insurer first to ensure that they can provide flood cover at that specific location.   

• Identify machinery, tools or stock that could be moved to prevent loss or damage. Move vulnerable machinery stock and veterinary resupplies to safe locations if flooding is forecast.  

• Consider how you will alert staff about a flood warning and how they can help you to prepare.  

READ MORE: Defra announces £2.65 billion funding to boost rural flood resilience

Read more farm safety news.