Flood risk across Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear is largely urban, so surface water from intense summer storms is as big a concern as the rivers. The June 2012 thunderstorm known locally as the 'Toon Monsoon' flooded streets and homes across Newcastle and Gateshead in a couple of hours. The tidal Tyne and Wear, and low-lying parts of the coast, add river and sea flood risk.
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 Gateshead Council and landowners.
River Tyne – Tidal through Newcastle, Gateshead and the Shields
River Wear – Sunderland and Washington
River Derwent – Joins the Tyne at Blaydon
Ouseburn – Through Jesmond and the Ouseburn Valley
River Don – Jarrow and Hebburn
Who manages flood risk here
Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City 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. The same councils also decide 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.
