Millions of UK households unaware of flood

More than two million people in England are unaware their properties are at risk of flooding. The Environment Agency warned on Wednesday that people in a third of the six million UK properties most at risk of flooding are unaware of the threat they face.

Met Office warns of wet and windy winter

The Met Office indicates an increased likelihood of wet and windy conditions for October, November and December. The next three months are more likely than usual to be wet and windy.

This increased likelihood is due to a combination of large-scale weather patterns and the subtle impact of a boost El Niño. El Niño increases the odds of wetter and windier conditions in the UK but is only one of several influencing factors. A strong El Niño adds a small shift in the odds towards more rain and wind.

Will Lang, the chief meteorologist with the Met Office, said: "There is an increasing likelihood of it being wet overall, windier than normal and milder than usual as well." The Met Office also said there were early indications of drier, colder and calmer conditions later in the winter.

Agency urges public action

Caroline Douglass, the director for flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, urged people to check on the government website whether their properties were at risk. She asked residents to sign up for flood warnings and prepare a flood plan.

Douglass urged people to take measures to prepare. The agency's warning comes as flooding caused havoc across the UK last year.

Drought and flood risks persist

After a summer of droughts, extreme heat and wildfires, the UK is facing a wet and stormy start to winter. The Met Office said drought conditions would remain in large parts of the UK until reservoirs returned to their normal water levels.

That recovery would require above-average rainfall over the winter. Despite the need for rain to combat drought, the Met Office said flooding was likely in the months ahead.

El Niño is bringing devastation to other parts of the world. Caroline Douglass urged people to check on the government website whether their properties were at risk and to have a flood plan if they are at risk.