Check flood risk by postcode
Enter a postcode to see whether the location falls in Environment Agency Flood Zone 2 or 3 — the zones that affect insurance, mortgages, and planning permission.
You can check a property's flood risk for free by postcode using official Environment Agency flood zone data. Flood Zone 3 means a 1-in-100-or-greater annual chance of river flooding (or 1-in-200 from the sea); Flood Zone 2 means between 1-in-100 and 1-in-1000. Properties outside both zones are at lower risk from rivers and the sea, though surface water flooding is mapped separately.
Frequently asked questions
What is Flood Zone 3?
Land assessed by the Environment Agency as having a 1% or greater annual probability of river flooding, or 0.5% or greater from the sea. Lenders and insurers pay close attention to it, and new development there is restricted. It does not mean a property floods every year — flood defences are not reflected in the zone boundaries.
Does being in Flood Zone 2 make a house uninsurable?
Rarely. Most homes in Zone 2 (and many in Zone 3) can be insured, often through the Flood Re scheme, which caps flood premiums for homes built before 2009. But always get insurance quotes before exchanging contracts, not after.
Is this the same as a flood risk assessment?
No. This is an indicative check of published flood zones for rivers and the sea. A formal flood risk assessment (FRA) considers surface water, groundwater, drainage and flood history for the specific property — worth commissioning if a zone shows up here.
Why does my street flood but show as low risk here?
Flood zones cover river and sea flooding only. Surface water ('flash') flooding after heavy rain is mapped separately by the Environment Agency and is not included in this check.
More free checks
Official open data under the Open Government Licence. Indicative information only — always verify through full searches during conveyancing.