{"id":24124,"date":"2026-10-09T14:59:50","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T13:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.manutan.co.uk\/blog\/?p=24124"},"modified":"2026-10-09T17:41:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T16:41:42","slug":"super-prep-for-super-weather-getting-your-site-flood-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.manutan.co.uk\/blog\/winter\/super-prep-for-super-weather-getting-your-site-flood-ready\/","title":{"rendered":"Super prep for super weather! Getting your site flood-ready"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s official. Summer 2026 was the UK\u2019s hottest summer on record<\/a>. It was also exceptionally dry, with drought conditions developing in several regions. England and Wales experienced their driest recorded July<\/a>, receiving just 10% of its average rainfall\u2014and for the south of England it was the driest month ever<\/em> (in\u00a0records dating back to 1836).<\/p>\n

With settled weather continuing well into the autumn for many, site and facilities teams may be daring to hope that the year\u2019s biggest weather risks are behind us. But after months of exceptionally dry conditions, the arrival of rainfall may bring them a very different set of challenges.<\/p>\n

From dry ground to flood risk<\/h2>\n

After months with no rainfall, the ground is exceptionally hard and slower to absorb water. When heavy rain does arrive, it can simply run off the hard surface, increasing the risk of localised surface-water flooding.<\/p>\n

Exacerbating the problem, when there’s a prolonged dry period, drainage is more prone to becoming clogged. Whether it\u2019s dirt and leaves or grease and kitchen waste dried in the warm pipes, blockages build up without having frequent rainfall to flush them through.<\/p>\n

All this means that even a short sharp shower can leave water with nowhere to go\u2014putting entrances, walkways, equipment and other vulnerable areas of your site at heightened risk.<\/p>\n

\"Drainage<\/p>\n

A record-breaking winter too?<\/h2>\n

This winter, there\u2019s another good reason to get a head start on your flood preparation, with the prospect of another record-breaking weather event and potential for more unprecedented conditions heading for the UK\u2014this time not the warm and sunny kind.<\/p>\n

An El Ni\u00f1o weather pattern was identified in the Pacific earlier in the summer, with some reports describing it as the strongest ever measured for that time of year. The predicted impact of this \u201csuper\u201d El Ni\u00f1o on the UK winter varies considerably\u2014from minimal impact, to wetter, stormier weather, to dramatic headlines warning of a polar vortex and giant wall of rain and snow<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Super planning for super weather<\/h2>\n

However drastic the weather turns out to be this winter, the advice is clear: don’t wait for a rainy day to prepare your site for flooding. Flood guidance from the government recommends maintaining a business flood plan<\/a> covering the risks to people, property and operations, as well as the actions to take before, during and after a flood. It also recommends checking that flood prevention products and warning systems are working properly.<\/p>\n

The Flood handbook for your business<\/em><\/a>, published by FloodMary.com, sets out practical measures businesses can take to minimise disruption and improve resilience. Some of these are long-term resilience measures, such as positioning valuable equipment and stock above ground level, raising electrical sockets and controls where practical, and backing up business-critical data often. Others are seasonal preparations that should be reviewed ahead of the winter months.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t already, now\u2019s the time to:<\/p>\n