It’s essential to fully understand the potential flood risks and the availability of flood insurance. Researching this information thoroughly will help you make an informed decision.
Although we cannot provide specific advice on individual properties, we encourage you to contact the National Flood Forum. This independent charity offers advice on flood risk and obtaining flood insurance for your property. You can call the National Flood Forum on 01299 403055 or visit their website for further information.
Find out more about flood risk
The more you learn about a property's flood risk, the better equipped you will be to manage it. We recommend using the Environment Agency’s flood map, which allows you to enter an address or postcode to view flood risk information for the area. This tool provides insights into:
- the likelihood of flooding in the area
- the potential causes of flooding
- advice on managing flood risks
Please be aware that:
- the map serves as a general guide for flood risk in an area and is not specific to individual properties
- it does not include risks from groundwater flooding or flooding caused by blocked drains and burst pipes; however, the surface water map can give you an idea of where water may flow above ground
- it does not show interactions between different flood sources, such as the combined impacts of river and coastal flooding
- not all watercourses are represented, so we recommend also checking Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping, the Land Registry, and local sources for more details on nearby watercourses
Get flood warnings on the go
The Environment Agency offers a free 24-hour advice and information service called Floodline, available at 0345 988 1188. You can also register for free flood alerts and warnings:
- Met Office weather warnings: receive email alerts whenever the Met Office issues a weather warning for your area
- Environment Agency flood alerts: register to receive flood warnings by phone, email, or text if you live near a river or in an area at risk of flooding
These services help ensure you stay informed and prepared for potential flood events.