Flood risk across Somerset
The Somerset Levels and Moors are among the lowest-lying land in England, drained by the Parrett, the Tone and the Brue. In the winter of 2013–14 they flooded for weeks, cutting off villages such as Muchelney and Thorney; river dredging, more pumping and the Bridgwater tidal barrier project followed. The coast around Bridgwater Bay is exposed to tidal flooding.
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 Somerset Council and landowners.
River Parrett – Langport, Burrowbridge and Bridgwater
River Tone – Taunton and the Levels
River Brue – Bruton, Glastonbury and Highbridge
River Axe – Cheddar and Wells moors
River Yeo – Yeovil and Ilchester
Bridgwater Bay coast – Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead
Who manages flood risk here
Somerset 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. The same council also decides planning applications (or the national park authority, inside a national park) – 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.
