Flood risk across Norfolk
Norfolk's low-lying coast and the Broads make tidal flooding a major risk. The 1953 North Sea flood devastated King's Lynn, Hunstanton and Sea Palling, and the December 2013 surge flooded homes along the coast, including at Walcott and Wells-next-the-Sea. Parts of the coast, such as Happisburgh, are also eroding.
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 Norfolk County Council and landowners.
River Yare – Norwich and Great Yarmouth
River Wensum – Fakenham and Norwich
River Bure – Aylsham, Wroxham and the northern Broads
River Great Ouse – Downham Market and King's Lynn
River Waveney – The Suffolk border at Diss and Beccles
North Sea and Wash coast – Hunstanton, Wells, Cromer and Yarmouth
Who manages flood risk here
Norfolk County Council 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. 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.
