Flood risk across Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is home to the Thames Barrier at Charlton, and its riverside — Greenwich Peninsula, Woolwich and Thamesmead — is tidal floodplain protected by the barrier and river walls. Much of it is in Flood Zone 3 for that reason. The Ravensbourne and the Quaggy add river flood risk, and surface water affects streets across the borough.
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 Royal Borough of Greenwich and landowners.
River Thames – Tidal along Greenwich, Charlton, Woolwich and Thamesmead
River Ravensbourne – Deptford Creek on the Lewisham border
River Quaggy – Eltham and Lee
Who manages flood risk here
Royal Borough of Greenwich 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.
