Flood risk across Cheshire
Cheshire is mostly lowland, drained by the Dee, the Weaver and the Mersey. River flooding affects towns such as Northwich, where the Weaver and the Dane meet, and parts of Chester and Warrington; surface water from heavy rain affects towns and villages across the county.
Flood zones only show river and sea flooding, and they ignore flood defences. Surface water and reservoir risk aren’t part of the zones – check them on the Environment Agency’s long-term flood risk service, or get the full report, which covers every source.
Rivers that shape local flood risk
Main rivers are managed by the Environment Agency. Smaller watercourses and drainage are the responsibility of Cheshire East Council and landowners.
River Dee – Chester and the Welsh border
River Weaver – Nantwich, Winsford and Northwich
River Dane – Congleton, Middlewich and Northwich
River Mersey – Warrington and Widnes
River Bollin – Macclesfield and Wilmslow
Who manages flood risk here
Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Borough Council and Halton Borough Council are the Lead Local Flood Authorities, responsible for surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency manages main rivers and the sea, and issues flood warnings. The same councils also decide planning applications – and asks for a flood risk assessment in Flood Zones 2 and 3.
Getting a written answer for an address
The free check describes the area around your postcode. For a specific property, the full report checks your exact address against every flood dataset and gives you a dated PDF to share with your surveyor, conveyancer or insurer.
For planning decisions, your local council has the final say.
