Flood risk across Cornwall
Cornwall's short, steep rivers can turn intense rain into a flash flood very quickly. In August 2004 a sudden downpour sent a torrent through Boscastle, sweeping away cars and damaging dozens of buildings. Coastal towns face tidal flooding and storm waves, and estuaries such as the Fal and the Camel bring tidal risk inland.
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 Cornwall Council and landowners.
River Camel – Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow
River Fal and Truro River – Truro and Falmouth
River Valency – Boscastle
River Tamar – The Devon border
River Fowey – Lostwithiel and Fowey
Cornish coast – Penzance, Looe, St Ives and Bude
Who manages flood risk here
Cornwall Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority, responsible for surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency manages main rivers and the sea, and issues flood warnings. The same council also decides 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.
