Check Flood Risk by Postcode – UK Flood Map

Find out if a property is at risk of flooding from rivers, seas or surface water. Free Environment Agency data.

Check Flood Risk by Postcode

Wondering if your home or a property you're considering is at risk of flooding? Our free flood risk checker uses official Environment Agency data to show you the long-term flood risk for any UK postcode. Just enter a postcode and get an instant assessment.

The data covers flood risk from rivers and the sea, helping you understand whether an area is in a flood zone and what level of risk applies.

Understanding Flood Risk Levels

High Risk

Properties in high-risk areas have greater than a 1 in 30 chance of flooding in any given year. That's a 3.3% annual probability, or roughly a 26% chance over a 10-year period. These areas typically require flood insurance and may face restrictions on new development.

Medium Risk

Medium-risk areas have between a 1 in 30 and 1 in 100 annual chance of flooding (1-3.3%). Standard home insurance usually covers these areas, though premiums may be higher.

Low Risk

Low-risk areas have between a 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 annual chance of flooding (0.1-1%). While flooding is unlikely in any given year, it can still occur during extreme weather events.

Very Low Risk

Areas with less than a 1 in 1000 annual chance of flooding. Flooding is rare but not impossible.

No Data

If a postcode doesn't appear in the flood risk database, it typically means no significant flood risk has been identified. However, this doesn't guarantee the area will never flood — surface water flooding and drainage issues may still occur.

Why Check Flood Risk?

🏠 Buying a Property

Check flood risk before making an offer. It affects insurance costs and property value.

📋 Insurance Quotes

Know your flood risk before applying for home insurance to understand likely premiums.

🏗ī¸ Planning Applications

Flood risk affects planning permission. Check before submitting an application.

📊 Research

Analyse flood risk patterns for business planning, investment, or academic research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the official flood risk data?

Yes. This tool uses the Environment Agency's "Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea" dataset, which is the same data used by the official GOV.UK flood risk service. We link to the official service for each postcode so you can verify the information.

Does this include surface water flooding?

This dataset primarily covers flooding from rivers and the sea. Surface water (drainage) flooding is a separate risk that depends on local drainage infrastructure. For comprehensive information, we recommend checking the GOV.UK service which covers all flood types.

My postcode shows "No data" — am I safe?

No flood risk data means the Environment Agency hasn't identified significant river or sea flood risk for that location. However, flooding can still occur from surface water, groundwater, or overwhelmed drainage systems. "No data" is generally a good sign, but it's not a guarantee.

How often is the data updated?

The Environment Agency updates this dataset quarterly. Our tool uses the latest available release. For the most current information on active flood warnings, check the official GOV.UK flood warning service.

Can I use this data for insurance purposes?

This data can help you understand your general flood risk level before getting insurance quotes. However, insurers use their own detailed risk models which may differ. Always get a proper quote from insurers for accurate premium information.

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