The FFC was officially opened on 21 April 2009 in London by Environment Minister Hilary Benn . Its role is to provide better advice to governments , local authorities , emergency responders and the general public via its parent organisations . It faced its first major test in November 2009 when severe flooding affected Northern England , in particular Cumbria and the town of Cockermouth . The Pitt Review progress report highlighted the accuracy of the advice issued ahead of this event . In April 2011 the FFC moved from central London to a permanent base within the Operations Centre at the Met Office HQ in Exeter . It currently provides a range of operational Hydrometeorology services across England and Wales and limited services for Scotland and Northern Ireland
affected Northern England
2009 Great Britain and Ireland floods
Flood Forecasting Centre (UK)