Flood Risk Map: Check Flood Risk by Postcode
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Use the free flood risk map below to check the flood risk for any postcode in England. Enter a postcode to see the Environment Agency's modelled risk from rivers and the sea, surface water, reservoirs and flood zones, alongside 2070–2125 climate change projections and live flood warnings — then download a one-page PDF screening report.
It's a quick way to answer “is my house at risk of flooding?” before you buy a property, plan a development or arrange insurance. The result is an indicative screening, not a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment — we explain the difference below, and what to do if your postcode shows elevated risk.
Flood Risk Checker
Enter a postcode to see the Environment Agency flood risk for that location — rivers & sea, surface water, reservoirs and 2070–2125 climate projections — plus live flood warnings.
How to check flood risk on the map
- Enter your postcode in the search box and select “Check flood risk”.
- Read the headline verdict, which summarises whether the location shows low, moderate or elevated flood risk.
- Review each source of flooding — rivers and sea, surface water and reservoirs — plus the planning flood zone and the 2070–2125 climate change outlook.
- Explore the map layers to see flood extents, defences and main rivers around the location.
- Download the PDF screening report to keep, or to share with an architect, conveyancer or planning consultant.
One of our experienced Flood Risk Consultants will get back to you within 60 minutes
What the flood risk map shows
The map draws on the same open datasets that the Environment Agency and local planning authorities use. For each postcode it screens several different sources of flood risk:
Rivers and the sea
Surface water
Risk of pluvial (surface water) flooding — now the most widespread flood risk in England.
Reservoirs
Whether the location falls within the worst-case extent if a reservoir were to fail — an emergency-planning scenario, not an everyday risk.
Flood zone for planning
The Flood Zone (1, 2 or 3) that planners use to decide whether a Flood Risk Assessment is required.
Climate change 2070–2125
Whether the postcode stays within the flood extent under long-term climate projections, which planning policy requires to be assessed.
Historic flooding and live warnings
Records of past flooding nearby, whether you are in a flood warning area, and any flood alerts or warnings active right now.
Flood risk map vs the flood map for planning
People often mix these up. A flood risk map (sometimes called the long-term flood risk map) gives a plain-English picture of how likely flooding is from each source — useful for homeowners, buyers and anyone preparing for flooding. The flood map for planning is the formal dataset used in the planning system; it shows Flood Zones 2 and 3 and is what a council checks when it decides whether your application needs a Flood Risk Assessment.
Our tool reports both, so you get the everyday risk picture and the planning flood zone in one place. If you're developing land, the flood zone is usually the figure that matters most.
What your result means — and whether you need a Flood Risk Assessment
If the map shows a location in Flood Zone 1 with low risk from every source, most homeowners don't need to do anything beyond keeping the screening for their records. Even then, some insurers and certain planning applications still ask for a flood or drainage assessment.
If the location falls in Flood Zone 2 or 3, shows medium or high risk, or sits within the 2070–2125 climate change extent, a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment for planning will usually be required to support a planning application, and the Sequential Test may apply. In Wales, an equivalent Flood Consequence Assessment is needed.
An assessment looks at the actual property — finished floor levels, ground levels, flood routes and defences — which a postcode-level map cannot. It's also how you find out what can be done to make a site acceptable, rather than simply whether risk exists. You can read more on how a flood risk assessment works and what one costs.
Not sure what your result means?
Unda's chartered flood risk consultants have completed more than 5,000 assessments across England and Wales since 2014. Send us a postcode and we'll tell you, free of charge, whether you're likely to need a Flood Risk Assessment — with a written quote back within 60 minutes. Get a free quote or talk to a consultant.
The different types of flooding
A single postcode can be exposed to more than one source of flooding, and they are managed by different bodies. The map screens the main ones:
- River and sea flooding — managed by the Environment Agency; the most familiar source and the basis of the planning flood zones.
- Surface water (pluvial) flooding — rainfall that can't drain away fast enough; the most widespread risk in England, managed by the Lead Local Flood Authority.
- Groundwater flooding — a rising water table after prolonged wet weather, affecting low-lying ground and basements.
- Tidal and coastal flooding — storm surges and rising sea levels along the coast.
- Reservoir flooding — rare, but mapped as a worst-case extent for emergency planning.
Coverage: this map currently covers England, using Environment Agency open data. For Wales, see Natural Resources Wales, and for Scotland see SEPA. Unda provides flood risk and flood consequence assessments across both England and Wales.
Enter your postcode in the flood risk map above and select “Check flood risk”. You'll see the modelled risk from rivers and the sea, surface water and reservoirs, the planning flood zone, the 2070–2125 climate change outlook, historic flooding nearby and any live flood warnings — with the option to download a PDF screening report.
The map shows the modelled flood risk for the area around your postcode, banded from very low to high for each source of flooding. It's a reliable first screening, but it reflects the postcode area rather than your exact property and doesn't account for floor levels or ground levels. For a definitive answer on a specific property, you need a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment.
Yes. The flood risk map is free, with no sign-up required. It uses Environment Agency open data published under the Open Government Licence, and you can download a one-page PDF screening report at no cost.
A flood risk map gives an everyday picture of how likely flooding is from each source, which is useful for homeowners and buyers. The flood map for planning is the formal dataset councils use, showing Flood Zones 2 and 3 to decide whether a planning application needs a Flood Risk Assessment. Our tool reports both.
Not always. Low-risk locations in Flood Zone 1 often don't, though some insurers and applications still ask for one. A Flood Risk Assessment is usually required where a site is in Flood Zone 2 or 3, shows medium or high risk, exceeds one hectare, or falls within the climate change flood extent. If you're unsure, send Unda a postcode for a free check.
The map currently covers England. For Wales, use the Natural Resources Wales flood risk map; for Scotland, use SEPA's flood maps. Unda prepares Flood Risk Assessments for England and Flood Consequence Assessments for Wales.
It uses the Environment Agency's national modelled datasets, the same source data used in planning. Those models are accurate at an area level but indicative for an individual property: they don't capture finished floor levels, ground levels or local drainage. Treat the result as a screening, and commission a site-specific assessment for planning, conveyancing or insurance decisions.
Need a Flood Risk Assessment or drainage strategy?
Whether you're securing planning permission, buying a property or satisfying an insurer, Unda's chartered consultants produce clear, robust reports tailored to your site — and negotiate with the Environment Agency and local planning authorities on your behalf. Get a quote in 60 minutes or explore our services.
One of our experienced Flood Risk Consultants will get back to you within 60 minutes