Extreme weather guide for businesses: protecting against storms, floods and drought

Check out our helpful one-stop extreme weather guide for UK businesses – helping you to navigate storm season and know where to turn if the worst happens.

While it would be fair to say that other parts of the world are subject to more volatile weather conditions than the UK, there’s no doubt that extreme weather is a very real and present danger for businesses in Britain. In the first three months of 2025 alone, insurers paid out £109 million to organisations for weather-related damage and disruption.

Since that time, the UK weather has continued to break records. We experienced the warmest year on record in 2025, while England and Wales recorded their driest July since records began in 2026.

From flooding and storm damage to drought and water shortages, severe weather has the ability to damage premises, disrupt utilities, hit supply chains and prevent employees and customers from continuing with business as usual.

In this guide, we’ll look at some practical steps that businesses can take to become more resilient – including protecting your water supply, spotting leaks and preparing for weather-related disasters of various forms.

Is extreme weather a growing risk for UK businesses?

If there’s one thing that can be said with certainty about the weather in the UK, it’s that it is always unpredictable! However, there are things we can learn from the patterns developing in recent years.

As already mentioned 2025 was the warmest year on record, while 2026 saw the driest July on record in England and Wales. With hot, dry conditions compounding year-on-year, there are good reasons why the Environment Agency and other public organisations are calling for water conservation to play a more central role in both domestic and business lives.

It’s worth noting, though, that droughts don’t remove the risk of flooding. In fact, intense rainfall on very dry or hard ground can lead to localised flooding – meaning a real risk of both water shortages and excess water in the same year!

So, what does this mean for UK businesses?

Primarily, this suggests that business resilience isn’t just about preparing for one type of weather event; it’s about considering how a number of different weather and climate-related challenges can be prepared for, mitigated and responded to.

Flood risks: what businesses need to know and how to prepare

According to the Environmental Agency, around 6.3 million properties in England (homes and businesses combined) are in areas at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. That makes understanding your local risk an important first step.

Check your flood risk

The Environment Agency’s flood risk checker on GOV.UK is a useful tool which lets you search by postcode and see whether your business premises fall into a flood area and how severe the risk is.

Put a flood plan in place

A basic flood plan should include how your business will get warnings, who’s responsible for making decisions, when a response should be triggered, where utility shut-off points can be found, how stock and equipment will be protected (ideally stock and electrical equipment should be raised off ground level) and how the business will continue (or stop) operating safely if water gets in.

It’s worth remembering that flooding rarely gives much warning, so businesses that prepare for it well in advance are in a better position to protect the operations, staff and business equipment. It’s also important to consider how customers, suppliers and employees will be contacted and which operations could continue from another location.

Ready to start planning? Don’t forget to consult your insurance first to help you understand what you are covered for and what steps your insurer requires you to take in the event of a disaster.

How can UK businesses prepare for storm, wind and power outages?

In February 2022, Storm Eunice cut power to somewhere between 1.4 and 1.5 million homes and businesses across the UK. In situations like this, wind and power outages are typically more likely. Preparing for these kinds of issues, includes:

Identify your citical services

Which systems have to keep running if the power goes off? Depending on your business, that could include refrigeration, alarms, servers, communications equipment, pumps or even medical equipment.

Ask yourself if any of these require backup power and how you intend to keep them running in the event of an emergency.

Keep essential information accessible

Cloud computing has dramatically helped ensure that information can be accessed remotely and reduced the pressure on core company data being held either in print or via an on-site server in recent years. However, it’s worth considering what happens if staff lose power and internet access. For this reason, keep emergency contacts, insurance information, utility details and your business continuity plan (BCP) somewhere it can be accessed offline.

Securing your business premises

Regularly inspect your premises for issues that could cause a problem in the event of a storm or increased rainfall. Check loose guttering, signage, fencing and anything stored outside that could become a hazard.

Put staff safety first

Make sure your team knows not to travel or work outdoors in severe weather warnings and that you have a way of reaching them if premises need to close at short notice.

Having a business continuity plan that covers actionable steps in case power loss lasts for more than a few hours could save your business from a costly disruption. Decide in advance who has authority to close a site, when employees should be instructed to work remotely and how you will communicate instructions to staff if normal systems are unavailable.

It’s also worth noting that a free 105 phone number will connect you to your local electricity network operator.

Pipes, leaks and ageing infrastructure

It’s no secret that the UK’s vast water network is ageing. Water wholesalers operate a massive 426,734 km of pipes across the country and, despite work being done to update pipework and reduce water losses, it is still estimated that roughly 20% of treated water before it ever reaches a tap. While some of these leaks take place in public spaces, many can also be found on business premises.

So, what does this mean for UK businesses? In extreme weather situations, freeze-thaw cycles in winter cause pipes to contract and crack, while hot, dry conditions cause ground movement that puts pressure on ageing pipework underground. Both increase the risk of bursts and for a business, an undetected leak can mean damaged premises and an unexpectedly high water bill.

The good news is that most on-site leak can be caught early if you know what to check:

Know your normal usage: an unexplained increase is often a sign that something isn’t right
Check the obvious culprits: dripping taps, running toilets and damaged outdoor pipework can waste surprisingly large amounts of water
Carry out a meter test: take a meter reading, make sure no water is used for 30 minutes and then check it again. If the reading has changed, you could have a leak
Use your stop tap to investigate further: if you’ve detected unexplained usage, turning off your internal stop tap and repeating the test can help establish whether the problem is inside or outside your premises.
Embrace automated monitoring: Everflow’s water loggers can monitor meter readings more frequently and provide alerts when usage passes customised thresholds. This helps businesses identify any unusual consumption trends and potential leaks quickly.
Your water retailer can offer that clip onto your existing meter and can flag unusual usage and catch leaks months earlier than a standard meter would.

Drought and water scarcity

As of summer 2026, five Environment Agency operational areas were in drought and a further six in prolonged dry weather. While this is a concern for every business in the UK, water-dependent businesses such as those in food and drink manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality and construction could experience consequences of drought more severely than others.

Our advice is always to start by analysing your own usage to better understand where your water goes. What are your highest-consuming processes and usage patterns – with this information to hand you might be able to find opportunities to reduce consumption without affecting operations.

It’s also worth having a plan for reduced water availability. This might include alternative water resources, adjusted working patterns and built-in flexibility during dry spells.

Preparing for whatever the weather brings

No matter the specific type of extreme weather condition, one rule that should be in the back of every business mind is developing a plan, so that when a weather situation strikes, your business can recover as quickly as possible. This includes knowing who to contact when something goes wrong with your water supply.

If there’s a problem with the public water network – such as loss of supply, low pressure, a burst main or sewer flooding – your wholesaler is normally responsible for investigating and fixing it.

If the problem is with pipework within your property boundary, it’s generally your responsibility to arrange a repair. As your water retailer, Everflow can help with your account, bills, meter information and water efficiency, as well as point you towards the right support when there’s a problem.

If you’re dealing with a water emergency, our water emergencies page has plenty of useful information and if you’d like to be better prepared for the future ahead, get in touch with our team at Everflow today to review your water contract, efficiency and contingency planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my business floods?

If you are experiencing flooding from drains or sewers, contact your wholesaler right away on their emergency number. Turn off electricity and gas supplies if it’s safe to do so and evacuate if necessary. You should also avoid using electrical equipment that has water damage.

What’s the difference between a flood warning and a floor alert?

A flood alert means flooding is possible and preparation should take place. A flood warning means flooding is expected and immediate action is needed, such as moving stock, equipment or vehicles to safety.

How do I safely check my premises for storm damage before reopening?

Look for obvious external damage, which may include loose roofing, broken windows, fallen signage or debris. Check for downed power lines nearby and don’t approach them. Inside, look for water damage or exposed wiring and don’t restore power until you’re confident it’s safe to do so.

How can I tell if I have a hidden leak?

A simple leak test involves checking your water meter reading, avoiding any water use for approximately 30 minutes, then checking the meter again. If the reading has changed without any usage, you likely have a leak. Unexplained increases in your water bill are another common sign.

Does a hosepipe ban apply to all businesses in the UK?

No. At the moment, hosepipe bans and their exact rules apply to domestic use only. Businesses are exempt from the hosepipe ban as long as the use is for commercial reasons.

Contact Everflow today!

At Everflow, our goal is to make your utilities simpler – we ensure you get great-value contracts that are tailored to your needs and easy to manage. Get a bespoke quote using the link below.

Get a quote