Flood zones are a guide produced by the Environment Agency to demonstrate the probability of river and sea flooding in areas across England. Flood zones are based on the likelihood of an area flooding, with flood zone 1 areas least likely to flood and flood zone 3 areas more likely to flood. The flood zones were produced to help developers, councils and communities understand the flood risks present in specific locations or regions. Despite being a very useful indicator of an area’s flood risk, the zones cannot tell you whether a location will definitely flood or to what severity.

The Flood Map for Planning Service includes several layers of information. This includes the Flood Zones data which shows the extent of land at present day risk of flooding from rivers and the sea, ignoring the benefits of defences, for the following scenarios: • Flood Zone 1 – Land having a less than 0.1% (1 in 1000) annual probability of flooding. • Flood Zone 2 – Land having between 0.1% - 1% (1 in 100 to 1 in 1000) annual probability of flooding from rivers or between 0.1% - 0.5% (1 in 200 to 1 in 1000) annual probability of flooding from the sea, and accepted recorded flood outlines . • Flood Zone 3 – Areas shown to be at a 1% (1 in 100) or greater annual probability of flooding from rivers or 0.5% (1 in 200) or greater annual probability of flooding from the sea. Flood Zone 1 is not shown in this dataset, but covers all areas not contained within Flood Zones 2 and 3. Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) use the Flood Zones to determine if they must consult the Environment Agency on planning applications. They are also used to determine if development is incompatible and whether development is subject to the exception test. The Flood Zones are one of several flood risk datasets used to determine the need for planning applications to be supported by a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and subject to the sequential test. The Flood Zones are a composite dataset including national and local modelled data, and information from past floods. The Flood Zones are designed to only give an indication of flood risk to an area of land and are not suitable for showing whether an individual property is at risk of flooding. This is because we cannot know all the details about each property. Users of these datasets should always check they are suitable for the intended use Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2025. All rights reserved.

PLEASE NOTE: This dataset has been retired. It has been superseded by https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/04532375-a198-476e-985e-0579a0a11b47. Links to this data will be removed after April 2025. We encourage users to download this Flood Zones dataset if you would like to retain a comparison ability beyond this date.

The Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) includes several layers of information. This dataset covers Flood Zone 3. It is our best estimate of the areas of land at risk of flooding, when the presence of flood defences are ignored and covers land with a 1 in 100 (1%) or greater chance of flooding each year from Rivers; or with a 1 in 200 (0.5%) or greater chance of flooding each year from the Sea.

This dataset is designed to support flood risk assessments in line with Planning Practice Guidance; and raise awareness of the likelihood of flooding to encourage people living and working in areas prone to flooding to find out more and take appropriate action.

The information provided is largely based on modelled data and is therefore indicative rather than specific.

Locations may also be at risk from other sources of flooding, such as high groundwater levels, overland run off from heavy rain, or failure of infrastructure such as sewers and storm drains.

The information indicates the flood risk to areas of land and is not sufficiently detailed to show whether an individual property is at risk of flooding, therefore properties may not always face the same chance of flooding as the areas that surround them. This is because we do not hold details about properties and their floor levels.

Information on flood depth, speed or volume of flow is not included.

The Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) includes several layers of information. This layer and documentation covers Flood Zone 2. It is the Environment Agency's best estimate of the areas of land at risk of flooding, when he presence of flood defences are ignored and covers land between Zone 3 and the extent of the flooding from rivers or the sea with a 1 in 1000 (0.1%) chance of flooding each year. This dataset also includes those areas defined in Flood Zone 3.This dataset is designed to support flood risk assessments in line with Planning Practice Guidance ; and raise awareness of the likelihood of flooding to encourage people living and working in areas prone to flooding to find out more and take appropriate action. This dataset is republished by the West of England Combined Authority for supplementing information within our Local Nature Recovery Strategy. If you are using it for statutory purposes, you should refer to the Environment Agency's canonical version, linked in the Attributions field below as this is likely to be more current.

Set of shapefiles defining Indicative Flood Risk Areas for local risk. Indicative Flood Risk Areas are provided by the Environment Agency for use by Lead Local Flood Authorities in England in their review during 2017 of Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments and Flood Risk Areas under the Flood Risk Regulations. The Indicative Flood Risk Areas are primarily based on an aggregated 1km square grid Updated Flood Map for Surface Water (1 in 100 and 1000 annual probability rainfall), informally referred to as the “blue square map”. These are 1km grids across England and consist of the following data layers: • Surface Water Flood Risk Exposure Grid – 1km square grid that shows places above the flood risk threshold defined, using the 1 in 100 and 1000 annual probability (deep) Flood Map for Surface Water. • Flood risk thresholds used to generate the “blue Squares”: - Number of people > 200 - Number of critical services, including electricity and water > 1 - Number of non-residential properties > 20 • Cluster Maps – are aggregations of 3km by 3km squares that each contain at least 5 touching "blue squares" (i.e. 1km grid squares where one of the thresholds above is exceeded) • Communities at Risk by Lead Local Flooding Authority • People Sensitivity Map by Lead Local Flood Authority. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2016. All rights reserved. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence

PLEASE NOTE: This dataset has been retired. It has been superseded by https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/04532375-a198-476e-985e-0579a0a11b47. Links to this data will be removed after April 2025. We encourage users to download this Flood Zones dataset if you would like to retain a comparison ability beyond this date.

The Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) includes several layers of information. This dataset covers Flood Zone 2 and should not be used without Flood Zone 3. It is our best estimate of the areas of land at risk of flooding, when the presence of flood defences are ignored and covers land between Zone 3 and the extent of the flooding from rivers or the sea with a 1 in 1000 (0.1%) chance of flooding each year. This dataset also includes those areas defined in Flood Zone 3.

This dataset is designed to support flood risk assessments in line with Planning Practice Guidance ; and raise awareness of the likelihood of flooding to encourage people living and working in areas prone to flooding to find out more and take appropriate action.

The information provided is largely based on modelled data and is therefore indicative rather than specific. Locations may also be at risk from other sources of flooding, such as high groundwater levels, overland run off from heavy rain, or failure of infrastructure such as sewers and storm drains.

The information indicates the flood risk to areas of land and is not sufficiently detailed to show whether an individual property is at risk of flooding, therefore properties may not always face the same chance of flooding as the areas that surround them. This is because we do not hold details about properties and their floor levels. Information on flood depth, speed or volume of flow is not included.

The Flood Map for Planning (FMfP) includes climate change information to show how this will affect flood risk extents for rivers, the sea and surface water and small watercourses over the next century. It shows the potential extent of flooding assuming no defences are in place. It also indicates areas at risk from coastal erosion, areas that have flooded in the past and key information on the location of flood defence infrastructure. The FMfP can be considered as the best available information on flood risk and will replace the Development Advice Map for planning purposes in June 2023. Although it currently has no official status for planning purposes it is a useful data source when considering flood risks. More information on the formal implementation of the new TAN15 and FMfP is set out in the Written Statement from the Welsh Government https://gov.wales/written-statement-suspension-new-technical-advice-note-15-development-flood-risk-and-coastal The Flood Zones within the FMfP shows the undefended risk of flooding from Rivers, the Sea and from Surface Water & Small Watercourses. Flood Zone 3 displays the extent of flooding from: • rivers with a 1% (1 in 100) chance or greater of happening in any given year, including an allowance for climate change. • the sea with a 0.5% (1 in 200) chance or greater of happening in any given year, including an allowance for climate change. • Surface water & small watercourses with a 1% (1 in 100) chance or greater of happening in any given year, including an allowance for climate change. Flood Zone 2 displays the extent of flooding from: • Rivers with less than 1% (1 in 100) but greater than or equal to 0.1% (1 in 1,000) chance of happening in any given year, including an allowance for climate change. • the Sea with less than 0.5% (1 in 200) but greater than or equal to 0.1% (1 in 1,000) chance of flooding in any given year, including an allowance for climate change. • Surface water & small watercourses with less than 1% (1 in 100) but greater than or equal to 0.1% (1 in 1,000) chance of happening in any given year, including an allowance for climate change. The FMfP is displayed in two parts, a Basic View and a Detailed View. In the Basic View the risk of flooding from Rivers and the Sea is shown as a merged layer. In the Detailed View flood risk is separated into individual sources. In both Views Flood Zones for Surface Water & Small Watercourses are shown separately.

This metadata record is for Approval for Access product AfA256.

Flood Risk Areas identify locations where there is believed to be significant flood risk. The EU Floods Directive refers to Flood Risk Areas as 'Areas of Potentially Significant Flood Risk' (APSFR).

Flood Risk Areas have been defined by the Environment Agency (main rivers and the sea) and Lead Local Flood Authorities (surface water). Other sources of flooding are not covered. This dataset includes Flood Risk Areas defined for both Cycle 1 (December 2011) and Cycle 2 (December 2018).

The criteria used to determine significance are explained in supporting guidance document supplied with this data.

Flood Risk Areas determine where Flood Hazard and Risk Maps and Flood Risk Management Plans must subsequently be produced to meet obligations under the EU Floods Directive.

INFORMATION WARNING

Flood Risk Areas are designed to meet the needs of the European Floods Directive. They are designed for broad planning purposes only and are not appropriate for any other type of flood mapping. Other flood mapping is available which is more appropriate to showing localised flood risk.

The Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) includes several layers of information. This dataset covers Water Storage Areas. It shows those areas that act as a balancing reservoir, storage basin or balancing pond. Their purpose is to attenuate an incoming flood peak to a flow level that can be accepted by the downstream channel. It may also delay the timing of a flood peak so that its volume is discharged over a longer time interval. We have assumed that water storage areas act perfectly and give the same level of protection as when our assessment of the area was carried out. Water storage areas do not completely remove the chance of flooding and can be overtopped or fail in extreme weather conditions.

This dataset is designed to raise awareness of the likelihood of flooding and to encourage people living and working in areas prone to flooding to find out more and take appropriate action.

PLEASE NOTE: This dataset has now been retired and is superseded by a new dataset called: Reduction in Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea due to Defences. The Areas Benefiting from Defences dataset was assessed as no longer sufficiently meeting the needs of our customers and partners and was last updated on 02/11/2022. The Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) includes several layers of information one of which is areas benefiting from defences. This dataset shows those areas that benefit from the presence of defences in a 1 in 100 (1%) chance of flooding each year from rivers; or 1 in 200 (0.5 %) chance of flooding each year from the sea. If the defences were not there, these areas would flood in a 1 in 100 (1%)/ 1 in 200 (0.5 %) or larger flooding incident. Note that we do not show all areas that benefit from all flood defences. Some defences are designed to protect against a smaller flood with a higher chance of occurring in any year, for example a flood defence which protects against a 1 in 30 chance of flooding in any year. Such a defence may be overtopped in a flood with a 1 in 100 (1%)/ 1 in 200 (0.5%) chance of occurring in any year, but the defence may still reduce the affected area or delay (rather than prevent) a flood, giving people more time to act and therefore reduce the consequences of flooding. We do not always map areas that benefit from defences that offer a lower standard of protection. Other defences are designed to withstand a larger flood with a smaller chance of occurring in any year. In this case, we show only the area that would have been affected in a flood with a 1 in 100 (1%)/ 1 in 200 (0.5%) chance of occurring in any year, even though further areas would benefit in the event of more severe flooding for example in a 1 in 1000 (0.1%) flood. The rivers and sea criteria 1 in 100 (1%)/ 1 in 200 (0.5%) chance of occurring in any year aligns with Flood Zone 3 as described in the Planning Practice Guidance. In mapping areas benefiting from defences, we assume that flood defences and other operating structures act perfectly and give the same level of protection as when our assessment of the area was made. Please download our related dataset Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea to understand the flood risk that remains in locations where the location of flood defences and their condition have been included in the modelling. Attribution Statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2018. All rights reserved.Some features of this map are based on digital spatial data from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, © NERC (CEH) © Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey 100024198

The Flood Zones show the probability of river and sea flooding, ignoring the presence of defences. There are four zones, 1, 2, 3a and 3b, that reflect the annual probability of flooding happening. This map shows all areas with more than a 1 in 1,000 annual probability of either river or sea flooding by combining zones 2, 3a and 3b. If you want to submit a planning application within these zones, you will need to do a flood risk assessment. For a full explanation of when a flood risk assessment is required, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-assessment-for-planning-applications#when-you-need-an-assessment. To view more detailed information on the flood zones, visit https://flood-map-for-planning.service.gov.uk/.

The Flood Zones show the probability of river and sea flooding, ignoring the presence of defences. There are four zones, 1, 2, 3a and 3b, that reflect the annual probability of flooding happening. This map shows all areas with more than a 1 in 1,000 annual probability of either river or sea flooding by combining zones 2, 3a and 3b. If you want to submit a planning application within these zones, you will need to do a flood risk assessment. For a full explanation of when a flood risk assessment is required, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-assessment-for-planning-applications#when-you-need-an-assessment. To view more detailed information on the flood zones, visit https://flood-map-for-planning.service.gov.uk/.

The Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) includes several layers of information. This dataset covers Flood Zone 3. It is our best estimate of the areas of land at risk of flooding, when the presence of flood defences are ignored and covers land with a 1 in 100 (1%) or greater chance of flooding each year from Rivers; or with a 1 in 200 (0.5%) or greater chance of flooding each year from the Sea.

This dataset is designed to support flood risk assessments in line with Planning Practice Guidance; and raise awareness of the likelihood of flooding to encourage people living and working in areas prone to flooding to find out more and take appropriate action.

The information provided is largely based on modelled data and is therefore indicative rather than specific.

Locations may also be at risk from other sources of flooding, such as high groundwater levels, overland run off from heavy rain, or failure of infrastructure such as sewers and storm drains.

The information indicates the flood risk to areas of land and is not sufficiently detailed to show whether an individual property is at risk of flooding, therefore properties may not always face the same chance of flooding as the areas that surround them. This is because we do not hold details about properties and their floor levels.

Information on flood depth, speed or volume of flow is not included. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2018. All rights reserved. © Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey 100024198

PLEASE NOTE: This dataset has been retired. It has been superseded by https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/04532375-a198-476e-985e-0579a0a11b47. Links to this data will be removed after April 2025. We encourage users to download this Flood Zones dataset if you would like to retain a comparison ability beyond this date. The Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) includes several layers of information. This dataset covers Flood Zone 2 and should not be used without Flood Zone 3. It is our best estimate of the areas of land at risk of flooding, when the presence of flood defences are ignored and covers land between Zone 3 and the extent of the flooding from rivers or the sea with a 1 in 1000 (0.1%) chance of flooding each year. This dataset also includes those areas defined in Flood Zone 3. This dataset is designed to support flood risk assessments in line with Planning Practice Guidance ; and raise awareness of the likelihood of flooding to encourage people living and working in areas prone to flooding to find out more and take appropriate action. The information provided is largely based on modelled data and is therefore indicative rather than specific. Locations may also be at risk from other sources of flooding, such as high groundwater levels, overland run off from heavy rain, or failure of infrastructure such as sewers and storm drains. The information indicates the flood risk to areas of land and is not sufficiently detailed to show whether an individual property is at risk of flooding, therefore properties may not always face the same chance of flooding as the areas that surround them. This is because we do not hold details about properties and their floor levels. Information on flood depth, speed or volume of flow is not included. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2023. All rights reserved. Some features of this map are based on digital spatial data from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, © NERC (CEH). © Crown Copyright and Database Rights 2023 OS AC0000807064.

This modelled fluvial flood depth data was created for the 0.1% annual chance of flooding situations and was produced as a by-product from the 2004 generalised modelling project. The purpose of the generalised modelling project was to fill the gaps where there was no detailed local modelled data in 2004, in order to define the extents of Flood Zones for spatial planning.

A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model called JFlow was used to produce this modelled fluvial flood depth data on a 5x5m grid.

Since 2004, local detailed modelling has been used to replace this generalised modelling in many areas to define the extents of Flood Zones. However this depth dataset has not been updated.

INFORMATION WARNING: This data is not suitable for identifying whether an individual property will flood, for detailed decision making or for use in site specific Flood Risk or Strategic Flood Risk Assessments. Where this data is used for anything other than broad catchment or Shoreline Management Plan scale further evidence, verification and studies should be undertaken.

More recent, accurate and local detailed modelling depth data is available for many places. Please contact your local Environment Agency office to see if detailed modelling is available for your area of interest.

This metadata record is for Approval for Access product AfA238 Flood Zone Depth Grid Dataset 2004

Modelled fluvial flood depth data are available for the whole of England, however this data is for the 100x100km squared Ordnance Survey National Grid reference SY. If you are interested in data for another grid reference refer to the Ordnance Survey National Grid document linked below to find the relevant referencing code and search on Data.gov.uk again to download the data. https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/support/national-grid.pdf Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2016. All rights reserved. Some features of this information are based on digital spatial data licensed from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology © NERC (CEH). Defra, Met Office and DARD Rivers Agency © Crown Copyright. © Cranfield University. © James Hutton Institute. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2015. Land & Property Services © Crown copyright and database right.

This modelled fluvial flood depth data was created for the 1% annual chance of flooding situations and was produced as a by-product from the 2004 generalised modelling project. The purpose of the generalised modelling project was to fill the gaps where there was no detailed local modelled data in 2004, in order to define the extents of Flood Zones for spatial planning.

A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model called JFlow was used to produce this modelled fluvial flood depth data on a 5x5m grid.

Since 2004, local detailed modelling has been used to replace this generalised modelling in many areas to define the extents of Flood Zones. However this depth dataset has not been updated.

INFORMATION WARNING: This data is not suitable for identifying whether an individual property will flood, for detailed decision making or for use in site specific Flood Risk or Strategic Flood Risk Assessments. Where this data is used for anything other than broad catchment or Shoreline Management Plan scale further evidence, verification and studies should be undertaken.

More recent, accurate and local detailed modelling depth data is available for many places. Please contact your local Environment Agency office to see if detailed modelling is available for your area of interest.

This metadata record is for Approval for Access product AfA238 Flood Zone Depth Grid Dataset 2004

Modelled fluvial flood depth data are available for the whole of England, however this data is for the 100x100km squared Ordnance Survey National Grid reference NY. If you are interested in data for another grid reference refer to the Ordnance Survey National Grid document linked below to find the relevant referencing code and search on Data.gov.uk again to download the data. https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/support/national-grid.pdf Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2016. All rights reserved. Some features of this information are based on digital spatial data licensed from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology © NERC (CEH). Defra, Met Office and DARD Rivers Agency © Crown Copyright. © Cranfield University. © James Hutton Institute. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2015. Land & Property Services © Crown copyright and database right.

PLEASE NOTE: this dataset has been retired. It has been superseded by data for Flood Risk Areas: https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/f3d63ec5-a21a-49fb-803a-0fa0fb7238b6

The Indicative Flood Risk Areas are primarily based on an aggregated 1km square grid Updated Flood Map for Surface Water (1 in 100 and 1000 annual probability rainfall), informally referred to as the “blue square map”.

This dataset is a component of Indicative Flood Risk Areas (shapefiles)

A bundle download of all Indicative Flood Risk Areas spatial datasets is also available from this record. Please see individual records for full details and metadata on each product. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2016. All rights reserved.

Public Awareness of Flood Risk: the Role of the Environment Agency Flood Map, 2006-2007 aims to investigate how ‘official’ information translates into public understanding and action, using the example of the Environment Agency's (EA) flood map web site. The study has two different elements; a web survey and flood map experiments.

The web survey was delivered on-line from the EA servers, with a portal on the flood map site. Users of the EA web page were asked to complete the survey which resulted in 1,395 valid responses. Questions were asked about the EA website and in particular the flood map.

The flood map experiments were in-depth interviews with 51 respondents from specially selected case study areas which had different degrees of flood experience. Individuals were asked to work through online flood map material and their responses to specific questions were recorded. The case study areas where: Brockenhurst, Hampshire (9 participants - inland river flooding/moderate risk); Hambeldon, Hampshire (11 participants – recent groundwater flooding/high risk), Carlisle, Cumbria (13 participants – recent inland river flooding/high risk), and a control population of university environmental management students representing highly informed users with low current risk - Portsmouth University (18 participants).

Further information is available from the ESRC award web page.

PLEASE NOTE: this dataset has been retired. It has been superseded by data for Flood Risk Areas: https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/f3d63ec5-a21a-49fb-803a-0fa0fb7238b6

The Indicative Flood Risk Areas are primarily based on an aggregated 1km square grid Updated Flood Map for Surface Water (1 in 100 and 1000 annual probability rainfall), informally referred to as the “blue square map”.

This dataset is a component part of Indicative Flood Risk Areas (shapefiles)

A bundle download of all Indicative Flood Risk Areas spatial datasets is also available from this record. Please see individual records for full details and metadata on each product.

PLEASE NOTE: this dataset has been retired. It has been superseded by data for Flood Risk Areas: https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/f3d63ec5-a21a-49fb-803a-0fa0fb7238b6 Shapefile for Indicative Flood Risk Areas generated using the Environment Agency's Communities at Risk Approach. This information is provided by the Environment Agency for use by LLFAs in their review during 2017 of Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments and Flood Risk Areas under the Flood Risk Areas. it must be used in conjunction with data for Indicative Flood Risk Areas generated by the Environment Agency using the cluster method as well. The Indicative Flood Risk Areas are primarily based on an aggregated 1km square grid Updated Flood Map for Surface Water (1 in 100 and 1000 annual probability rainfall), informally referred to as the “blue square map”. This dataset is a component of Indicative Flood Risk Areas (shapefiles) A bundle download of all Indicative Flood Risk Areas spatial datasets is also available from this record. Please see individual records for full details and metadata on each product. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2016. All rights reserved.