In short: Kent and Medway are covered by the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, which runs the Kent Prepared website. Its 2026 Community Risk Register rates failure of the national electricity system, failure of gas supply, low temperatures and snow, coastal and tidal flooding, pandemic, and disruption to roads and ports as very high risks. Sign up for free Environment Agency flood warnings online or on Floodline (0345 988 1188), call 105 for a power cut (UK Power Networks), and check which of five water companies supplies your home.
Key facts
- The Kent Community Risk Register 2026 (version 3, February 2026) is prepared by the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum. Source
- Its very high risks include failure of the national electricity transmission system, failure of gas supply infrastructure, low temperatures and snow, major coastal and tidal flooding, pandemic, loss of the strategic road network and loss of a port. Source
- The register says water companies must give household customers at least 10 litres of drinking water per person per day until supply is restored. Source
- Kent Prepared says to ring UK Power Networks, not your energy supplier, in a power cut, on 105 or 0800 3163 105. Source
- Kent Prepared lists five water companies for Kent: Affinity Water, SES Water, South East Water, Southern Water and Thames Water. Source
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Kent has a long coastline, busy ports and roads, and a mix of towns and countryside. Local services plan together for the emergencies most likely to affect it. This page gathers their official sources in one place so you know where to look before you need them. Prepared, not panicked.
We are an independent guide. We don't run any of these services or show live information. For current incidents, use the official links below.
Who to contact locally
Emergency planning across Kent and Medway is led by the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, the area's Local Resilience Forum (LRF). Its public website is Kent Prepared, which has advice for each type of emergency and a printable booklet.
| What you need | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Anyone in immediate danger | 999 |
| Local preparedness advice | Kent Prepared: What if? |
| The forum | Kent Resilience Team, email shown: [email protected] |
| Your council | GOV.UK council finder |
| Flood warnings | Environment Agency: sign up online or Floodline 0345 988 1188 |
| Power cut | UK Power Networks: 105 or 0800 3163 105 |
| Water supply problem | Your water company (see below) |
Local risks the forum lists
The Kent Community Risk Register 2026 (version 3, February 2026) sets out the risks the forum plans for. It rates these as very high:
- failure of the national electricity transmission system
- failure of gas supply infrastructure
- low temperatures and snow
- major coastal and tidal flooding
- pandemic
- loss of the strategic road network, and loss of a port
Its high risks include loss of all phone and mobile communications, regional failure of the electricity network, severe weather, river and surface water flooding, localised flash flooding, and a new infectious disease. Loss of drinking water, drought and wildfire are rated medium.
The register says a risk is listed so that organisations, communities and the public can prepare for it. It points residents to the Kent Prepared What if? pages for practical advice.
How to sign up for local flood warnings
Kent Prepared's flooding page sets out six steps, starting with checking your flood risk. The essentials:
- Check your long-term flood risk on GOV.UK. It covers rivers and the sea, surface water, reservoirs and, where data exists, groundwater.
- Sign up for free flood warnings from the Environment Agency, online or on Floodline, 0345 988 1188 (24 hours).
- Ask about flood wardens or a community flood plan where you live. Kent Prepared has pages on both.
Our guide to what flood alerts and warnings mean explains each level.
Power cuts in Kent
Kent's local electricity network is run by UK Power Networks. Kent Prepared is clear: in a power cut, ring UK Power Networks, not your energy supplier, on 105 or 0800 3163 105. It also suggests keeping a charged phone and power bank, a torch with spare batteries, and at least one corded landline phone.
Our UK Power Networks power cut page explains how to report a cut, use the live map, join the priority register and claim compensation.
Water supply
Kent is served by more than one water company. Kent Prepared's loss of water page lists five, with contact details for each:
- Affinity Water
- SES Water
- South East Water
- Southern Water
- Thames Water
Your bill shows which one supplies your home, or use the Water UK postcode checker, as CCW suggests. The risk register says water companies must give household customers at least 10 litres of drinking water per person per day until supply is back, with priority for vulnerable customers. Our no water supply guide covers what to do while you wait.
A short Kent checklist
- Check your flood risk and sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings.
- Save 105 (power cuts) and Floodline 0345 988 1188 in your phone and on paper.
- Find out which water company supplies you and note its number.
- Join the UK Power Networks and water company Priority Services Registers if eligible. Our Priority Services Register guide explains who qualifies.
- Keep a torch, spare batteries, a power bank and bottled water at home.
- Read or print the Kent Prepared booklet.
- If you drive for work, plan for road or port disruption.
Next steps
Put it all on one page. Our free household plan builder takes about 10 minutes and fills in your power network operator from your postcode. Then try the readiness quiz to see what's left to do.
Limitations
This page is general information based on the official sources listed below, checked on 29 October 2026. It isn't a replacement for instructions from the emergency services. In any emergency where someone is in danger, call 999.
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Frequently asked questions
Who plans for emergencies in Kent?
The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, a partnership of local organisations that must assess and plan for local risks under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Its public website is Kent Prepared.
Where can I read the Kent Community Risk Register?
On the Kent Prepared community risk register page, which links to the 2026 PDF (version 3, February 2026).
How do I get flood warnings in Kent?
Sign up free with the Environment Agency on GOV.UK, or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188. Kent Prepared gives the same number.
Who do I call in a power cut in Kent?
Call 105 or 0800 3163 105. Kent Prepared says to contact UK Power Networks, the local network operator, not your energy supplier.
Which water company supplies my part of Kent?
It could be Affinity Water, SES Water, South East Water, Southern Water or Thames Water. Check your bill, or use the Water UK postcode checker.
Sources
- Kent and Medway Resilience Forum: Kent Community Risk Register 2026, V3 (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Kent Prepared: Kent Community Risk Register (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Kent Prepared: What if? (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Kent Prepared: Flooding (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Kent Prepared: Loss of power (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Kent Prepared: Loss of water (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK: Sign up for flood warnings (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK: Check your long term flood risk (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- CCW: Which water company supplies my area? (checked 29 Oct 2026)