Flood risk across Kent
The Medway and its tributaries meet at Yalding, which flooded in October 2000 and again at Christmas 2013, when Tonbridge, Maidstone and East Peckham were also affected. Kent's long coast, the Thames estuary and Romney Marsh bring tidal risk, and surface water and groundwater affect towns 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 Kent County Council and landowners.
River Medway – Tonbridge, Yalding, Maidstone and Rochester
River Beult and River Teise – Join the Medway at Yalding
River Great Stour – Ashford and Canterbury
River Darent – Sevenoaks and Dartford
River Eden – Edenbridge
Thames estuary and Kent coast – Sheppey, Whitstable, Margate and Romney Marsh
Who manages flood risk here
Kent County Council and Medway 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.
