The Risk of Flooding from Rivers and the Sea (RoFRS) indicates the probability of flooding from rivers and the sea, incorporating the presence and maintenance of flood defences. While such defences can significantly reduce flood risk, they cannot remove it completely — overtopping or failure may still occur, which is why maps may show some level of risk even in areas that are protected.
| High | more than a 3.3% chance of flooding in any year (at least 1 in 30) |
| Medium | between a 1% and 3.3% chance each year (between 1 in 100 and 1 in 30) |
| Low | between a 0.1% and 1% chance each year (between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 100) |
| Very Low | less than a 0.1% chance each year (less than 1 in 1,000) |
This planning map shows the risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. It was created by the Environment Agency to support with the flood risk assessments required for planning applications. Flood zones range from Flood Zone 1 (low risk) to Flood Zone 3 (high risk).
If your development is in a medium- or high-risk area, you will need a detailed, site-specific flood risk assessment. Get in touch with us to start your development process
| Zone 1 (Low risk) | Less than a 0.1% chance each year (less than 1 in 1,000) |
| Zone 2 (Medium risk) | A 0.1%–1% chance from rivers (1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100) or 0.1%–0.5% from the sea (1 in 1,000 to 1 in 200) |
| Zone 3 (High risk) | More than a 1% chance from rivers (1 in 100 or greater) or more than a 0.5% chance from the sea (1 in 200 or greater) |
The Risk of Flooding from Surface Water (RoFSW) map illustrates where flooding could occur during heavy rainfall if water cannot soak into the ground or flow into drainage systems. In these conditions, rainwater may gather in low spots or move across the land surface. The map provides two key pieces of information:
This national dataset is produced by the Environment Agency.
| High | flooding could happen fairly often, with a chance of at least 1 in 30 each year (more than 3.3%) |
| Medium | flooding is less frequent, with a chance of between 1 in 100 and 1 in 30 each year (1% to 3.3%) |
| Low | flooding is unlikely but still possible, with a chance of between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 100 each year (0.1% to 1%) |
This is the maximum extent if a reservoir were to fail and release its water. This is the worst case scenario, it's unlikely that any actual flood would be this big. This data is intended for emergency planning services only.
These are areas of land that have been previously flooded in England. It is possible that an area has been flooded but has not been recorded. This data does not indicate if a property has been flooded internally.
Historic Flood OutlineThis database indicates where areas have reduced flood risk from rivers and sea due to the presence of flood defences.
The dataset has been created to help initiate conversations about the impact our flood defences have on the risk of flooding from the rivers and sea, and as a prompt to find out more about the flood defences in a particular area of interest. It does not replace any local, more detailed information.
Reduction Risk of Flooding from river and sea due to flood defencesThis map shows the areas where the Flood Warning Service is provided by the Environment Agency. We recommend you register to the service if your property is expected to flood from river or sea.
Flood Warning AreasThe Flood Guidance Statement (FGS) is a 5-day risk-based product for England and Wales
See user guide for more information
We need to adapt our way to live and learn to live with flooding. We can limit the impact of flooding by working together at a development, community and house level. These are some initiatives that you can start applying.
Green infrastructure is a cost-effective and sustainable flood management approach that gathers and removes water at its source.
Use green roofs to soakaways. Make them part of the landscape. This will reduce their costs and increase the quality of your development.
Re-use rainwater for the irrigation of plants, gardens and also within buildings. Design your development with temperate climate areas in which water is used.
It is easy to forget that flood water can be part of the development. Although we can protect individual dwellings from flooding, we can also make the external areas enjoyable and part of the flood zone.
Zero carbon will reduce climate change and in turn the risk and impact of future flooding.
