After two storms in a week, Cumbria's officially been moved out of drought and into recovery Cumbria moves out of drought and into recovery after storms Austen and Boelo
Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.
The Environment Agency's moved Cumbria and Lancashire into recovery after the wettest week since October 2024. Good news, but the country still needs a wet winter.
This one's for households, farmers and businesses across West Cumbria who've been keeping an eye on water levels this year.
The Environment Agency has moved its Cumbria and Lancashire area out of drought and into recovery, as of 28 October. Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire went at the same time. It's all in the national dry weather and drought report for 23 to 29 October.
Storms Austen and Boelo made it the wettest week across England since October 2024. The north-west has had 120% of its usual October rain so far, more than any other region. England overall is on 100mm, which is 111%.
It's not job done, mind. Reservoirs across England were 57.9% full on 27 October, still 19% below average, and ten reservoirs or groups are still exceptionally low. One of them is United Utilities' Pennines Group. The report says UU's main supply zone is still above its first drought level, in "Enhanced Monitoring and Operations". UU isn't one of the companies with a hosepipe ban.
The ground's still drier than it should be for the time of year, and groundwater is still dropping in most places. Parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and East and West Sussex are still in severe drought.
The Environment Agency says the whole country needs at least 120% of average rain over the next six months to be out of drought by spring.
What you can do: read the full weekly report on GOV.UK, which is in the sources below. United Utilities' website has its latest water updates and tips on saving water at home.
The Environment Agency moved its Cumbria and Lancashire area to drought recovery on 28 October after the wettest week in England since October 2024. North-west England has had 120% of its usual October rain so far.
This is for households, farmers and businesses across West Cumbria who have been watching water levels this year.
The Environment Agency moved its Cumbria and Lancashire area out of drought and into recovery on 28 October. Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire moved at the same time. The change is set out in the national dry weather and drought report for 23 to 29 October.
Storms Austen and Boelo made it the wettest reporting week across England since October 2024. North-west England has had 120% of its long-term average October rainfall so far, the highest of any region. England as a whole has had 100mm, or 111%.
Recovery does not mean the problem has gone away. Reservoir storage across England was 57.9% on 27 October, still 19% below average, and ten reservoirs or groups remain exceptionally low. They include the Pennines Group run by United Utilities. The report says United Utilities' Strategic Resource Zone remains above its first drought level, in "Enhanced Monitoring and Operations". United Utilities is not on the list of companies with a hosepipe ban.
Soils are still drier than normal for the time of year, and groundwater levels are still falling at most sites. Severe drought continues in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and East and West Sussex.
The Environment Agency says the whole country needs at least 120% of average rainfall over the next six months to be out of drought by next spring.
What you can do: read the full weekly report on GOV.UK, named in the sources below. United Utilities' website has its latest water resources updates and water-saving advice for homes in Cumbria.