Flood Risk in England Rises Sharply, Affecting Millions of Homes

New Environment Agency data reveals 6.3 million properties at risk, with projections suggesting one in four homes could face flooding by mid-century due to climate change.

The number of homes in England at medium or high risk of flooding has risen from 5.5 million in 2018 to 6.3 million in 2024, according to the Environment Agency.
Projections indicate that by 2050, climate change could place 8 million homes—about one in four—in flood-prone areas, not accounting for future housing developments.
Enhanced data and mapping, now accurate to a 2-meter scale, have improved understanding of flood risks, including depth estimates for river, sea, and surface flooding.
Regions most at risk include East Midlands, Yorkshire, and London, with coastal erosion also threatening thousands of properties, particularly in East Yorkshire and North Norfolk.
Infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and agricultural land are increasingly vulnerable, with nearly 60% of England's highest-quality farmland at risk of flooding.