Somerset to receive £50m boost for flood protection and resilience measures

The Government has announced a £50 million investment package aimed at improving flood resilience across Somerset following widespread flooding that affected the county during the winter months.

The funding will support a range of initiatives designed to better protect homes, businesses and agricultural land from future flood events. Potential projects include upgrades to water management systems, strengthened flood defences, increased maintenance of rivers and drainage channels, and the use of nature-based solutions to help manage water more effectively across the landscape.

The announcement follows one of Somerset’s wettest starts to the year on record. January 2026 was the county’s second-wettest January ever recorded, with rainfall levels exceeding twice the long-term average. Severe weather continued throughout February, leading Somerset Council to declare a major incident as rivers rose and flood risks intensified.

Emergency teams, supported by the Environment Agency, deployed pumps and other flood mitigation measures during the crisis. Authorities reported that nearly 2,900 homes were protected despite thousands of properties being considered at risk during the peak flooding period.

As one of England’s key farming regions, Somerset has faced ongoing challenges from repeated flooding of agricultural land. Concerns have grown over the impact on farming businesses, rural communities and food production, prompting calls for greater investment in long-term flood management solutions.

The county has already benefited from several flood defence projects in recent years. According to ministers, existing schemes have improved protection for approximately 4,916 properties while helping to reduce recurring flood impacts on farmland.

The latest funding forms part of the Government’s wider £10.5 billion programme to strengthen flood resilience across England through to 2036.

Alongside the investment announcement, the Environment Agency has launched a new National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service. The service brings together forecasting, modelling and warning capabilities within a single national operation staffed by around 170 specialists.

Recent figures from the agency indicate that 93% of flood defence assets currently meet required standards, exceeding the target set for this year. The agency also revealed it redirected £72 million during 2025 towards repairing and restoring critical flood infrastructure.

Looking ahead, ministers have set a new target requiring 93.5% of the country's most important flood assets to meet operational standards during 2026/27. Since 2024, the Environment Agency has completed 250 flood protection schemes, which it says have improved protection for almost 62,000 properties nationwide.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

“Somerset has faced the full force of extreme weather this year, which I saw when I visited earlier this year.

“The communities here deserve more than a temporary fix which is why this government is investing. This £50M funding in the protection of homes, farms and livelihoods in Somerset for years to come.”

Somerset Council Leader Bill Revans welcomed the announcement, saying:

“We are pleased the government has listened to our calls for urgent action and welcome this vital investment into the future of Somerset.

“This winter has shown how Somerset’s unique environment is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and it is clear we must help our communities to adapt and become more resilient.”

He added:

“We will work closely with partners, including the Environment Agency, Somerset Rivers Authority, Internal Drainage Boards, Natural England and, most importantly, our local communities, to ensure these funds are invested wisely to provide lasting benefits for years to come.”

Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy highlighted the growing importance of long-term preparedness in the face of changing weather patterns.

“As extreme weather becomes more frequent, we need to adjust how we deliver flood schemes and improve how we warn people of impending flood risks. Our new National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service is key to this.

“I’m proud that we’ve exceeded our targets, maintaining 93% of flood defences at required standard and delivering better protection for over 60,000 properties across England in the last two years.”

The investment is expected to play a significant role in helping Somerset adapt to future climate challenges while providing greater protection for communities, businesses and agricultural land vulnerable to flooding.