Flood risk across Suffolk
Suffolk's coast and estuaries — the Orwell, the Deben, the Alde and the Blyth — make tidal flooding the headline risk. The 1953 North Sea flood claimed around 40 lives in Felixstowe, and the December 2013 surge flooded homes in Lowestoft and along the estuaries; Ipswich now has a tidal barrier. Stretches of coast such as Dunwich and Covehithe are 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 Suffolk County Council and landowners.
River Orwell and River Gipping – Stowmarket, Ipswich and the estuary
River Deben – Woodbridge
River Waveney – Bungay, Beccles and Lowestoft
River Stour – Sudbury and the Essex border
River Lark – Bury St Edmunds and Mildenhall
River Alde and River Blyth – Aldeburgh, Snape and Southwold
Who manages flood risk here
Suffolk 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.
