England's Flood Risk: 1.2M Buildings Unprotected

A recent analysis has identified 1.2 million buildings in England that are susceptible to flooding but are not covered by existing flood defenses. The study, a collaboration between Ordnance Survey and Snowflake, indicates that the majority of these at-risk properties are homes, with surface water flooding posing the main threat, rather than rising rivers or sea levels.

This data highlights that a significant portion of these unprotected structures, amounting to two-thirds, are located in areas that are economically vulnerable. The urgency is underscored by recent extreme rainfall events experienced in early 2026, which saw some of the highest levels in over a century, emphasizing the growing need for enhanced flood protection measures.

The research utilized an AI model to combine building data with flood risk management plans. It suggests that increasing rainfall intensity, coupled with urban expansion, is escalating flood risks. The situation is further complicated by difficulties in obtaining insurance and concerns that lower-income households may be disproportionately affected, according to the head of the Flood Re program.

The UK government has stated it is investing £10.5 billion ($14.2 billion) in flood defense infrastructure and homes. Notably, buildings constructed before 2001, when flood risk considerations became mandatory in planning, constitute 84% of those identified as being at risk.