UK Operations
From floods to emergencies, our UK teams are on standby to protect lives, support communities, and respond when disaster strikes at home.
UK Operations
Serve On’s UK Operations team delivers rapid, expert support during national emergencies. With certified flood and rescue capabilities, we work alongside emergency services and local authorities to protect lives, safeguard infrastructure, and strengthen community resilience across the UK.

Disasters can strike close to home, not just abroad.
Our DEFRA qualified Water and Flood Rescue team is an audited and approved national asset and can be deployed by the government. They can also be requested by councils, utility companies, police, fire & rescue, lowland rescue, and many other organisations.
The November 2024 House of Commons ‘Flood Risk and Funding’ research paper stated that “flooding and coastal erosion can have severe economic, social, and environmental effects. Flooding can result in loss of life and major effects on the health and well-being of people affected, as well as disrupt services, infrastructure, and businesses.
In 2022-23, the Environment Agency (EA) estimated that approximately 5.7 million properties in England were at risk from flooding, an increase of around 500,000 from the previous year. Critical national infrastructure was also estimated to be at high risk: up to 51% of water supply infrastructure, 77% of rail infrastructure and 21% of electricity infrastructure is at risk of flooding.
The EA estimated the cost of the 2007 summer floods to be £3.9 billion, the winter 2013/14 floods to be £1.3 billion, and the winter 2015/16 floods to be £1.6 billion. These figures are in 2015 prices and would be almost 30% higher if expressed in present values.
In its annual flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) report, the EA calculated that as of 31 March 2024 in England:
• 2.6 million properties were at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea, of which 196,100 were at high risk (an annual likelihood of flooding greater than 3.3%).
• 3.2 million properties were at risk from surface water flooding, of which 344,100 were at high risk.
• 642,000 properties were estimated to be at risk from flooding from rivers, the sea and from surface water.
On average, these risks have remained broadly consistent over the past five years.”
The full report can be found (here).
https://commonslibrary.parlia…-briefings/cbp-7514/




engaging with communities
As well as responding to disasters, we work proactively to educate, inform, and empower communities to be more resilient by themselves.
We do this in a variety of ways, from attending fairs and events, to hosting open days at our headquarters. We’ve also been known to help out in the odd duck race!
We also run Basic Life Support and Water Safety workshops to give people lifesaving skills. In the past we’ve done this everywhere from universities to local village pubs.
If you would like to work with us to make your community more #ResilientTogether get in touch today.
Send us an email at: info@serveon.org.uk
or find us on social media!




Cumbria floods 2015
In December 2015 Storm Eva hit the UK, causing over £2 billion in damage. Heavy rainfall caused rivers to burst their banks, flooding homes and damaging infrastructure. Serve On was asked to deploy water rescue and community support assets across Cumbria and North Yorkshire – including in Tadcaster, where Tadcaster Bridge collapsed causing mass disruption.
Specialist water teams crossed flooded areas to reach cut-off villages, our own drones and partner air assets were used to capture aerial imagery, and volunteers helped shore up hospitals and businesses. As the water receded, volunteers worked with the local community to help clear up the debris and begin recovery efforts.
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