Flood risk across Devon
Devon's rivers run off Dartmoor and Exmoor and can rise very quickly. In August 1952 a flood on the East and West Lyn rivers devastated Lynmouth and killed 34 people. Today, river flooding affects towns such as Exeter, Barnstaple and Newton Abbot, and both the north and south coasts face tidal flooding and storm damage.
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 Devon County Council and landowners.
River Exe – Tiverton, Exeter and the Exe estuary
River Taw and River Torridge – Barnstaple, Bideford and Torrington
East and West Lyn – Lynmouth
River Teign – Newton Abbot and Teignmouth
River Dart – Totnes and Dartmouth
River Otter – Honiton, Ottery St Mary and Budleigh Salterton
Who manages flood risk here
Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay 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. Your district or borough council 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.
