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New data and modelling approaches form the basis of the Environment Agency’s National Flood Risk Assessment and Coastal Erosion Risk Map published shortly before Christmas, the first update in over six years.
Around 6.3 million properties in England are in areas at risk of flooding from one or a combination of sources: rivers, the sea and surface water, says the Environment Agency. The new data on depth of flooding provides more information to help people understand the potential flood hazards they could face and for the first time the new national assessment of risk identifies areas that may be at risk in the future.
The 44 page report sets out the new national assessment of flood risk which includes the potential impact of climate change on flood risk, provides a single picture of current and future flood risk from rivers, the sea and surface water; and uses both existing detailed local information and improved national data.
In addition to the risk assessment, the Environment Agency has published a map showing coastal erosion risk and has worked with coastal local authorities to produce this update that in turn will be used by local policy makers for coastal planning.
The risk assessment data will be available from early 2025 from Check your long term flood risk which is part of the government’s data.gov.uk service. The coastal erosion map data will be available on Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England. In spring 2025 the Environment Agency will update the Flood Map for Planning service which displays the Flood Zones.
The national assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk will be regularly reviewed and updated to take on board the latest local modelling evidence and national data improvements.
Read the report in full here: National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024.
For more on the impact of flooding, watch the Emergency Services Times webinar, Preparing for: flooding, and what Storm Henk tells us about the growing risk.
