In short: Somerset is covered by the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum, whose 2026 Community Risk Register lists flooding, extreme weather, animal disease, infectious diseases, transport incidents, industrial site accidents, utility disruption and malicious attacks as the main local risks. Somerset Council points residents to Somerset Prepared for leaflets and templates. Sign up for free Environment Agency flood warnings online or on Floodline (0345 988 1188), call 105 for a power cut (National Grid Electricity Distribution), and contact Wessex Water or Bristol Water, depending on who supplies your home.
Key facts
- The Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum is responsible for the area's Community Risk Register, which is published on the Avon and Somerset Police website. Source
- The 2026 register lists flooding, extreme weather, animal disease, infectious diseases, transport incidents, industrial site accidents, utility supply disruption and malicious attacks including cyber crime as the main risks. Source
- The register says water companies are required by law to provide alternative water supplies if supplies are interrupted, such as static tanks or bottled water collection sites. Source
- Somerset Council's preparing for emergencies page points residents to Somerset Prepared for leaflets, plans and templates. Source
- Somerset Council's flooding team can be contacted at [email protected], and road flooding or blocked drains can be reported online. Source
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Somerset's councils, emergency services and utility companies plan together for the things most likely to affect the county. 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
Somerset is part of the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum (LRF). Its 2026 risk register says it covers five councils: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Somerset Council points residents to Somerset Prepared, a partnership that offers advice, templates and community training.
| What you need | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Anyone in immediate danger | 999 |
| Local preparedness advice | Somerset Prepared |
| Council emergency information | Somerset Council: preparing for emergencies |
| Flooding questions (council) | [email protected], or report road flooding or blocked drains |
| Flood warnings | Environment Agency: sign up online or Floodline 0345 988 1188 |
| Power cut | 105 (National Grid Electricity Distribution) |
| Water supply problem | Wessex Water or Bristol Water (check your bill) |
If you live in one of the other four council areas, use GOV.UK's council finder to reach your own council's emergency page.
Local risks the forum lists
The Avon and Somerset Community Risk Register 2026 sets out the main risks the forum plans for:
- flooding, including river, surface water, coastal and groundwater flooding
- extreme weather, such as high winds, heavy rain, snow, heatwaves and extreme cold
- animal disease
- infectious and communicable diseases
- transport incidents
- industrial site accidents
- disruption to utilities and key resources, such as electricity, gas, water and telecoms
- malicious attacks, including cyber crime
It explains that some risks could affect anyone, while others, such as flooding, are more likely in certain areas. For most major emergencies, its advice is to go in, stay in and tune in to local radio, and it notes that a battery or wind-up radio still works in a power cut.
How to sign up for local flood warnings
- 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 by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 (24 hours).
- Read Somerset Prepared's flooding advice, and keep your council's flooding contacts handy.
Somerset Council's flooding page also lists the Village Agents service from the Community Council for Somerset (01823 331222) for people who have been flooded. Our guide to what flood alerts and warnings mean explains each level.
Power cuts in Somerset
Somerset's local electricity network is run by National Grid Electricity Distribution, and the risk register points residents to its Priority Services Register. To report a power cut, call 105 free.
Our National Grid power cut page explains how to report a cut, use its live map, get extra help and claim compensation.
Water supply
The risk register lists the Wessex Water and Bristol Water Priority Services Registers. Your bill shows which one supplies your home, or use the Water UK postcode checker, as CCW suggests.
The register also says water companies must provide other supplies by law if your water is cut off, for example tanks or a bottled water collection point. It suggests filling a bath or sink for flushing if an outage is announced in advance.
All utility companies offer priority schemes, but you have to sign up yourself. Our Priority Services Register guide explains who qualifies.
A short Somerset 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.
- Bookmark Somerset Prepared and your council's emergency page.
- Check whether Wessex Water or Bristol Water supplies you, and note their number.
- Join the Priority Services Registers if you or someone you care for is eligible.
- Keep a battery or wind-up radio, torch, first aid kit, bottled water and food that needs no cooking.
- Find out how to turn off your water, gas and electricity.
- Ask your parish or town council whether it has a community emergency plan.
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 Somerset?
The Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of the emergency services, the five councils in the area, health services, the Environment Agency, utility companies, voluntary groups and others. Somerset Prepared is the local preparedness website.
Where can I read the Somerset Community Risk Register?
The 2026 Avon and Somerset Community Risk Register is a PDF linked from the Avon and Somerset Police community risk register page. It explains each main risk and what you can do.
How do I get flood warnings in Somerset?
Sign up free with the Environment Agency on GOV.UK, or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188. The risk register gives the same Floodline number.
Who do I call in a power cut in Somerset?
Call 105, free. National Grid Electricity Distribution runs the local network in South West England, and the risk register points to its Priority Services Register.
Who supplies water in Somerset?
The risk register lists the Wessex Water and Bristol Water Priority Services Registers. Your bill shows which company supplies your home, or use the Water UK postcode checker.
Sources
- Avon and Somerset LRF: Community Risk Register 2026 (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Avon and Somerset Police: Community Risk Register page (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Somerset Council: Preparing for emergencies (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Somerset Council: Flooding (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Somerset Prepared (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)