England Faces Simultaneous Drought and Flood as Compacted Soils Shed Rainfall

On 27 August 2026, 71.3% of England remained in drought while the Environment Agency issued 40 flood alerts across the Midlands, Yorkshire, and the south-east. Environment Agency chief executive Philip Duffy said heavy rain falling on compacted soils makes "it possible to experience simultaneous drought and flood." Dozens of homes were damaged; the Met Office warned of up to 75mm of rain in 12 hours.