Journey
Flood and water management for your business
Understand flood risk to your business premises, implement practical protection measures, arrange insurance, create an emergency plan, and check whether you need permits for work near watercourses
Flooding is the most significant natural hazard facing UK businesses. Around one in six commercial properties in England is at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea, or surface water. Climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of flood events, making preparation essential for any business that occupies premises.
This journey takes you from understanding your flood risk through to practical protection, insurance, emergency planning, and the permits you may need for work near watercourses. It applies whether you own or lease your premises.
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Understand your flood risk
The Environment Agency classifies land into Flood Zones based on the annual probability of flooding from rivers and the sea. Surface water flooding is assessed separately and can affect premises in any flood zone.
gov.uk
Check your long-term flood risk (opens in a new tab)
Use the Environment Agency's service to look up your postcode and see your flood zone for rivers, the sea, and surface water.
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Assess how flooding would affect your business
Consider how a flood would affect your operations. The impact depends on your premises type, what you store at ground level, and how long you could trade from an alternative location. Walk through your premises and note where vulnerable assets sit relative to likely flood depths.
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Protect your premises from flood damage
Property flood resilience measures fall into two categories: resistance (keeping water out) and resilience (reducing damage when water enters). Most businesses in Flood Zones 2 or 3 benefit from combining both approaches. A basic resistance package for a small shop typically costs between £2,000 and £5,000, which is usually recovered after a single avoided flood event.
Protect your business premises from flooding
Practical guide to flood resistance and resilience measures, property surveys, flood barriers, raised electrics, and water-resistant materials.
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Arrange flood insurance and create an emergency plan
Commercial flood insurance works differently from residential cover. The government-backed Flood Re scheme does not cover business premises, so you must secure cover on the open market. In Flood Zone 2 or 3, this can be challenging and expensive. Demonstrating that you have flood resilience measures in place can help reduce premiums.
Sign up for free flood warnings (opens in a new tab)
Register with the Environment Agency to receive flood alerts, warnings, and severe warnings by phone, text, or email.
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Check permit requirements for work near watercourses
If your flood protection measures or other works involve construction near a main river, flood defence, or sea defence, you may need a Flood Risk Activity Permit from the Environment Agency. Operating without the required permit is a criminal offence.
Apply for a flood risk activity permit
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right permission route (exemption, standard rules, or bespoke permit), gathering supporting documents, and working with the Environment Agency.
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Understand flood risk requirements for development
If you are planning to develop, extend, or change the use of business premises, flood risk is a significant planning consideration. You may need a Flood Risk Assessment, and in Wales, Sustainable Drainage Systems approval is mandatory for construction of 100 square metres or more. Getting these wrong can mean planning refusal or, in Wales, criminal prosecution.
Flood risk assessment and SuDS compliance
How to assess flood risk for development sites, pass the Sequential and Exception Tests, and comply with SuDS requirements. Covers the major regulatory difference between England and Wales.
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Review coastal risk and keep your plans current
If your business is on the coast, you also face coastal erosion risk. Shoreline Management Plans set out the long-term approach for your stretch of coast. Review your flood plan annually before winter, update your insurance, and ensure staff know the emergency procedures.
What to do next
Start by checking your flood risk using the Environment Agency's long-term flood risk service. Then work through the steps above in order, prioritising the areas most relevant to your situation.