Flood risk across Lincolnshire
Much of Lincolnshire is fenland and coastal marsh, some of it below high-tide level, so tidal flooding is a major risk and large areas depend on drainage boards and pumping. The 1953 North Sea flood hit the coast from Mablethorpe to Skegness, and the December 2013 storm surge flooded parts of Boston. Inland, the Steeping flooded Wainfleet in June 2019.
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 Lincolnshire County Council and landowners.
River Witham – Lincoln and Boston
River Welland – Stamford and Spalding
River Trent – Gainsborough and the western edge
River Steeping – Wainfleet
River Ancholme – Brigg and the north of the county
The Wash and North Sea coast – Skegness, Mablethorpe and Boston
Who manages flood risk here
Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire 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.
