Flood Defence

The threat of flooding along our coasts and rivers is an issue of increasing importance. At present, around 5 million people in 2 million properties live in areas at risk from flooding in England and Wales. The number of people at risk is likely to increase as development continues to take place on floodplains and low lying coastal regions, and the threats associated with global warming, such as sea level rise and storm events, continue to intensify.

thames barrier at woolwich
The Environment Agency (EA) is the authority responsible for implementing and managing flood defence schemes in England and Wales. The EA also plays an important role in warning people about the risks of flooding, and establishing and maintaining flood-warning systems. Today, the Agency provides and maintains more than 34,000km of river and coastal defences in England and Wales and spends nearly £400 million each year on flood defence.

Flood Risk in the Thames Estuary

The Thames Estuary is an area where the risk of flooding is particularly high. The Thames region is increasingly at risk from flooding due to higher mean sea levels, increased rainfall and tide ranges, and a greater number and intensity of storm events. The Thames must also contend with the gradual 'sinking' of the southeastern tip of the British Isles (a process occurring as southern England returns to its original level, prior to being lifted by the weight of ice sheets pushing down on northern Britain during the last Ice Age).

The area at risk from flooding across the Thames is home to over a million residents and workers, 500,000 properties, 38 Underground and DLR stations, and City Airport, as well as many areas recognised for their ecological importance. An estimated 75% of the property value at risk from tidal floods in England and Wales lies within the Thames tidal flood plain. A large-scale flood event in this area would have disastrous effects, causing millions of pounds worth of damage to businesses, homes and infrastructure, and potentially causing the loss of life for thousands of London's residents.

TE2100

Thames Estuary 2100 (formerly Planning for Flood Risk Management in the Thames Estuary) is a joint initiative between the Anglian, Southern and Thames regions of the Environment Agency, which aims to determine the appropriate level of flood protection needed for London and the Thames Estuary for the next 100 years..... [more]

1953 Floods

In January 1953, the east coast of England was devastated by some of the worst flooding in recent memory. A number of extreme weather events combined to cause major flooding in areas throughout Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and the outer Thames Estuary. 307 people died, 24,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and over 30,000 people were evacuated. Damage in monetary terms was estimated at over £5 billion in today's money.... [more]

Flood Warnings

What can people at risk do?

Telephone the Environment Agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188

Visit the Agency's Floodline webpages for information, advice and up to date information on current flood warnings.

Sign up for the Environment Agency's advance warning system - in many areas, people can receive warning automatically by telephone voice messaging.