Risk Status, Alerts & Warnings
Our current risk status:
- Alert Status Update:
UKHSA: No current alert
Environment Agency Flood Alert: None
There are currently no health alerts or other expected risks to our community.
Whilst we have identified no community-wide risks, we advise residents to remain vigilant and mindful to protect themselves, their neighbours and our wider community. We should be aware of risks to individual households, such as scams, cybercrime and theft. Always stay aware, and use this opportunity to prepare ourselves for any potential problems.
Use the guidance on our website to protect yourselves and prepare for future risks.
Make sure you can receive warnings
UK Government Emergency Alerts
These are automatically sent to compatible phones and tablets when there is a life-threatening emergency nearby. Residents do not need to register or provide their telephone number.
The alert may make a siren-like sound even when the phone is silent. Residents should stop, read it safely and follow its instructions. The service never sends alerts by email or asks for personal information. UK Government Emergency Alerts
Environment Agency Flood Warnings
Residents at flood risk should register for free warnings by telephone, text or email.
The detailed meanings and local actions can remain on the WHR Flooding page.
Met Office Weather Warnings
These cover severe weather such as storms, heavy rain, snow, ice, wind and extreme heat.
Residents can check current warnings through the Met Office website or app. The Government Alerts and Warnings page also links to the available subscription services.
UKHSA Weather-Health Alerts
These warn when heat or cold is likely to affect health and care services. They are particularly important for older people, people with health conditions and those who provide care.
They are related to, but not identical to, Met Office weather warnings.
WHR Risk Status and Risk Updates
WHR uses official information (primarily UKHSA and EA) and local knowledge to explain what a developing situation may mean for Wraysbury and Horton.
WHR updates provide local context but do not replace:
- Official warnings;
- UK Government Emergency Alerts;
- Emergency-service instructions;
- Advice from the Environment Agency, Met Office, UKHSA or council.
If digital services are unavailable
Residents should also consider:
- keeping important numbers written on paper;
- having a battery or wind-up radio;
- agreeing how to contact household members;
- exchanging details with a trusted neighbour;
- checking on anyone who may not receive digital warnings.
Our Risk Status and Risk Updates are designed to answer two simple questions:
How concerned should I be?
and
What should I do?
The current Risk Status is displayed on our home page and below.
The Official Alert Systems We Report
WEATHER & OTHER HEALTH RISKS from UKHSA
🟢 GREEN
🟡 YELLOW
🟠 AMBER
🔴 RED
WHR does not create, alter or reclassify official alert levels.
We report official UKHSA Weather-Health Alerts and Environment Agency Flood Alerts and Warnings. WHR may add local context and practical information for Wraysbury and Horton, but the official alert remains unchanged.
Environment Agency Flood Warnings
For flooding, we use the official Environment Agency warning symbols and terminology:
 | Flood Alert |
 | Flood Warning |
 | Severe Flood Warning |
We do not convert these into Yellow, Amber or Red levels.
This means that when you receive an Environment Agency warning or see one in a WHR Risk Update, the symbol and wording have exactly the same meaning.
UKHSA Weather-Health Alert Levels Explained
🟢 GREEN — PREPAREDNESS / NO ALERT
No significant community-wide risk currently identified
Green does not mean that nothing can happen.
It means that there is currently no significant known or expected event requiring additional action across our community.
This is the time to:
- carry on normally
- remain aware of everyday risks
- prepare for future emergencies
- check household emergency supplies
- make or review your flood plan
- consider how you would cope with a power cut or severe weather
- make sure regular medicines and essential supplies are available
- check that vulnerable relatives and neighbours are prepared.
UKHSA describes Green as the preparedness phase. No Weather-Health Alert is issued at Green.
The best time to prepare for an emergency is when there isn’t one.
🟡 YELLOW — RESPONSE
A developing situation may affect some members of our community
Yellow means that conditions require increased awareness and some residents may need to take action.
This is particularly important for people who may be more vulnerable because of:
- age or frailty
- health conditions
- reduced mobility
- disability
- living alone
- other individual circumstances.
At Yellow:
- read the latest Risk Update
- check the relevant guidance
- start sensible precautions
- check vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours
- make sure medicines and essential supplies are available
- keep watching for further updates.
Yellow does not mean “nothing to worry about”.
It means be aware and start preparing, particularly if you or somebody you know may be more vulnerable to the particular risk.
🟠 AMBER — ENHANCED RESPONSE
Impacts are likely to be felt across the health service, with potential risk to the wider population.
At Amber, the potential impact is no longer limited principally to people who are particularly vulnerable.
Everyone should consider what action they need to take.
Depending upon the incident, this might include:
- changing travel or outdoor plans
- preparing your home
- checking essential supplies
- charging phones and power banks
- making sure medicines are available
- checking vulnerable neighbours and relatives
- following specific advice in the latest WHR Risk Update
- preparing for possible disruption to transport, power or other services.
WHR will increase its monitoring and may issue further Risk Updates as conditions change.
Amber means TAKE ACTION.
Do not wait for conditions to become an emergency before making sensible preparations.
🔴 RED — EMERGENCY RESPONSE
A serious incident or exceptional conditions may present a significant risk to life
Red is the highest UKHSA Weather-Health Alert level.
The risk may extend across the wider community, including people who would not normally consider themselves vulnerable.
At Red:
- follow the latest official and WHR advice
- avoid unnecessary exposure to the hazard
- be prepared for significant disruption
- check vulnerable people if it is safe to do so
- follow instructions from the emergency services
- prioritise people over property.
WHR volunteers may be actively responding to the incident.
Our ability to provide individual assistance will therefore be limited and priority will be given to residents already registered with us as vulnerable and requiring assistance.
RED means protect yourself and others.
If somebody is in immediate danger, call 999.
EA Flood Alerts and Warnings
Flooding is different.
Rather than replacing the well-established Environment Agency warning system with WHR colours, we use the official Environment Agency symbols and terminology.
FLOOD ALERT
Flooding is possible — PREPARE
- Check the latest information.
- Read the latest WHR Risk Update.
- Find your household flood plan and flood kit.
- Check flood-protection equipment.
- Consider moving vulnerable possessions.
- Think about moving your vehicle early.
- Check neighbours who may need help.
Start preparing now.
FLOOD WARNING
Flooding is expected — ACT NOW
Put your household flood plan into action.
- Protect people and pets.
- Move vehicles and important possessions.
- Deploy appropriate flood protection.
- Prepare for the possibility of leaving your home.
- Follow Environment Agency and WHR information.
Do not wait for water to reach your property before acting.
SEVERE FLOOD WARNING
Danger to life — PROTECT PEOPLE
- Stay somewhere safe.
- Be ready to evacuate.
- Follow instructions from the emergency services.
- Do not put yourself at risk protecting property or vehicles.
If anybody is in immediate danger, call 999.
What About WHR Risk Updates During Flooding?
WHR may issue Risk Updates before an Environment Agency Flood Alert or Warning is issued.
This is because our local Flood Team monitor a range of information including weather forecasts, river levels, Environment Agency information and other local conditions.
An early WHR update might therefore say that flood risk is increasing and residents should prepare, even though there is not yet an official Environment Agency warning for Wraysbury or Horton.
Equally, an Environment Agency warning always remains an official warning and should be followed.
WHR Risk Updates add local context and practical advice; they do not replace official warnings.
What Should I Do When I See a Risk Update?
1. LOOK AT THE STATUS
Is it:
🟢 Green
🟡 Yellow
🟠 Amber
🔴 Red
or an Environment Agency:
Flood Alert
Flood Warning
Severe Flood Warning
2. CHECK WHAT THE RISK IS
Heat, cold, flooding, storm, power disruption and other incidents require different actions.
3. READ THE ACTIONS
Every WHR Risk Update should explain:
What is happening
Who may be affected
When
What you should do
4. FOLLOW THE RELEVANT GUIDANCE
Our website contains more detailed information about preparing for and dealing with the principal risks affecting our community.
Wraysbury & Horton Resilience Flooding Information
Wraysbury & Horton Resilience Extreme Heat Information
Wraysbury & Horton Resilience Extreme Cold Information
Why Do We Issue Risk Updates?
Our aim is not simply to warn residents that something may happen.
Our aim is to help our community prepare before it happens.
Early preparation can:
- protect health
- reduce property damage
- help vulnerable residents
- reduce pressure on emergency services
- make disruption easier to manage
- help the community recover more quickly.
During Green periods we encourage residents to prepare.
When risk increases we help residents understand when to act.
During an incident we provide local information and support where we can.
Afterwards we help residents recover and become better prepared for next time.
Supporting Vulnerable Residents
WHR maintains a Vulnerable Residents Register for people who may require additional assistance during significant local incidents.
When an official UKHSA Amber or Red Weather-Health Alert is in force, or during another significant community incident, our volunteers may be very busy.
Our priority for direct assistance must be residents already registered with us as vulnerable and who are affected by the incident.
Other residents should use our Risk Updates, guidance pages and the official organisations linked from our website wherever possible.
If you believe that you or somebody you care for should be included on our Vulnerable Residents Register, please contact us before an emergency develops.
Remember
🟢 GREEN
PREPARE
🟡 YELLOW
BE AWARE
🟠 AMBER
TAKE ACTION
🔴 RED
PROTECT LIFE
For flooding, follow the official Environment Agency:
FLOOD ALERT → PREPARE
FLOOD WARNING → ACT NOW
SEVERE FLOOD WARNING → DANGER TO LIFE
Being prepared makes the whole community more resilient.