Flood risk across Surrey
North Surrey's Thames-side towns — including Staines, Egham and Chertsey — flooded in the winter of 2013–14, and the River Thames Scheme is planned to reduce the risk. The Wey and the Mole bring river flooding to Guildford, Godalming, Leatherhead and Dorking, and surface water affects towns and villages 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 Surrey County Council and landowners.
River Thames – Staines, Egham, Chertsey, Weybridge and Walton
River Wey – Farnham, Godalming, Guildford and Weybridge
River Mole – Dorking, Leatherhead and East Molesey
River Colne – Joins the Thames at Staines
River Eden – Lingfield and the Kent border
Who manages flood risk here
Surrey 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.
