Flooding - Where to go for the Latest Information
The latest information on flooded regions, including travel updates and weather forecasts, is available from the links and telephone numbers below. Local radio can also be a very useful source of information about local flooding, including flood warnings and disruption generally.
Environment Agency
For information and advice on flooding, and where it is:
- Floodline: 0845 9881 188
- Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Met Office
For up to date weather forecasts and weather warnings:
- Website: www.metoffice.gov.uk
Highways Agency
For information on congestion, any road closures on motorways and major trunk roads:
- Helpline number: 0870 0660 115 - for automated traffic info
- Information line: 0845 7504 030
- Website: www.trafficengland.com
National Rail enquiries
For information for those planning journeys by train:
- Telephone: 0845 7484 950
- Website: www.nationalrail.co.uk
Airports
- Aberdeen - 0870-040 0006 - www.aberdeenairport.com
- Birmingham - 0121-767 7798/99 - www.bhx.co.uk
- Bristol - 0871-334 4444 - www.bristolairport.co.uk
- Coventry - 024-7630 8600 - www.coventryairport.co.uk
- East Midlands - 0871-919 9000 - www.eastmidlandsairport.com
- Edinburgh - 0870-040 0007 - www.edinburghairport.com
- Glasgow
- Glasgow - 0870-040 0008 - www.glasgowairport.com
- Prestwick - 0871-223 0700 ext 1006 - www.gpia.co.uk
- Leeds-Bradford - 0113-250 9696 - www.lbia.co.uk
- Liverpool John Lennon - 0870-129 8484 - www.liverpooljohnlennonairport.com
- London
- City - 020-7646 0000/88 or - www.londoncityairport.com
- Gatwick - 0870-000 2468 - www.gatwickairport.com
- Heathrow - 0870-000 0123 - www.heathrowairport.com
- Stansted - 0870-000 0303 - www.stanstedairport.com
- Luton - 01582-405 100 - www.london-luton.co.uk
- Manchester - 0161-489 3000 - www.manchesterairport.co.uk
- Newcastle - 0871-882 1121 - www.newcastleairport.com
- Southampton - 0870-040 0009 - www.southamptonairport.com
Further information
Hilary Benn’s statement to Parliament


A gas explosion was simulated in Birmingham city centre to test the emergency response to a major incident. The emergency exercise took place on Sunday, May 13 at the Aston University Campus and was designed to test both the activation of individual agency plans and the way in which they worked together to co-ordinate and manage the response. Agencies involved in the exercise included West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council, six hospitals across the Birmingham area and the Military. The scenario facing the emergency crews sent to the scene was a gas explosion at the Student’s Guild during a graduation event, leading to a serious fire, partial collapse of some areas of the building and around 150 casualties ranging from walking wounded to fatalities. Exercise Director Paul Wattling from West Midlands Fire Service, said: “The exercise went very well, we are very pleased. The job now is for all the agencies involved to review the day and then get back together to talk about what went well, what could be improved and the lessons that can be learnt. That process is vital in ensuring that our response to emergency situations is as effective as it can be. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the exercise and helped make it a success, including the emergency service crews, the staff from all of the agencies involved, and especially the Red Cross volunteers who acted as casualties, as this greatly contributed to the realism of the event.” Resources used during the emergency response included a new mobile multi-agency command centre supplied by the Military, 15 fire engines and support crews, including Urban Search and Rescue experts and a mobile laboratory for identifying chemicals, paramedics, police officers and a fleet of ambulances. Around 300 people were involved in the exercise in total. PC Keith James, in charge of West Midlands Police’s involvement in the exercise, said: “Events like these are crucial in testing how all the various agencies involved in a major incident work together. West Midlands Police rely on other partners to play a vital role in dealing with any emergency situation. Regular discussions with our partners, through groups such as the West Midlands Conurbation Resilience Forum (WMCRF), help us understand each other’s needs and how we can work together better. This preparation means that when we have an emergency situation we pull together to focus on the most important thing: saving lives.” Although led by West Midlands Fire Service, the exercise was organised in conjunction with the WMCRF, which brings together all the agencies that would be involved in responding to a major incident, with the aim of enhancing how the emergency planning and response organisations in the Conurbation work together.