Flood risk across Cumbria
Cumbria has some of the most flood-hit towns in England. Carlisle flooded in January 2005 and again in December 2015, when Storm Desmond also flooded Kendal, Appleby, Keswick and Cockermouth — which had already flooded badly in November 2009. The fells funnel heavy rain into the rivers quickly, so river flooding is the headline risk 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 Cumberland Council and landowners.
River Eden – Appleby, Carlisle and the Solway
River Caldew and River Petteril – Join the Eden in Carlisle
River Kent – Kendal and the Kent estuary
River Derwent and River Cocker – Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington
River Greta – Through Keswick
River Lune – Kirkby Lonsdale and the south-east
Who manages flood risk here
Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness 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 (or the national park authority, inside a national park) – 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.
