Lancashire Telegraph News Article
Date: 29 November 2025
A major flood defence investment is marking a decade of progress since a devastating storm.
December 5 marks the 10th anniversary of the Storm Desmond floods, which devastated communities across Lancashire and Cumbria.
Since then, more than £600million has been invested in flood risk reduction across the two counties.
Richard Knight, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Protecting communities from flooding is our top priority, and we are prepared to take action in Cumbria and Lancashire this winter.
“Climate change means extreme weather events are happening more frequently – it was only in mid-November that heavy rain saw some properties flooding again in Cumbria.
“Despite our best efforts, we can’t protect everybody from flooding, but more than £600 million has been invested in new flood defences across Cumbria and Lancashire since Storm Desmond.
“We have a strong track record of working together with communities in the counties to help people understand their risks and get better prepared – it is essential we all do our part by checking our flood risk and getting flood warnings at Gov.uk.”
The Environment Agency and its partners have delivered 599 flood and coastal erosion projects since 2015, protecting more than 41,000 properties.
Major schemes in Preston, South Ribble, Padiham, and the Wyre Beach Management Scheme are either completed or underway.
The response to Storm Desmond included emergency support, repairs to damaged assets, improvements to flood warning systems, and the introduction of new ways of working.
The Environment Agency is currently delivering the government’s flood and coastal risk management investment programme, with £2.65 billion allocated for 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Alongside traditional defences, more than £5 million has been invested in natural flood management in Cumbria and Lancashire since Storm Desmond, supporting more than 25 at-risk communities.
The Environment Agency continues to deliver schemes through the Cumbria Innovative Flood Resilience Project and the £25 million national natural flood management programme.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for flood warnings, check their long-term flood risk, and take steps to prepare for future events.
Advice includes storing important documents in a secure, waterproof location, taking rugs and small furniture upstairs, preparing a flood kit, and checking how to turn off your electricity and water.
More information is available at www.gov.uk/prepare-for-flooding.
Storm Desmond remains one of the most significant recovery operations in the Environment Agency’s history.
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