Is London at risk of flooding?
Yes, London has a high risk of flooding but it also has one of the strongest protection systems in UK. There are three main types of flood risk:
- Tidal flooding (River Thames): Parts of central London are in high-risk areas. The Thames Barrier helps protect over 1.4 million people and many buildings from sea flooding. However, it may need upgrading in the future due to rising sea levels.
- River flooding: Smaller rivers like the Lea, Brent and Crane can overflow, especially during long periods of heavy rain. These rivers do not have the same level of protection as the Thames.
- Surface water (flash) flooding: This is the most common and unpredictable type. Rainwater cannot drain quickly because much of the city is covered in concrete and the drainage system can become overwhelmed.
Developing in a flood-risk area? RIDA offers expert Flood Risk Assessments to help your project move forward.