England Faces Flood Risk for 1.2 Million Buildings Without Defenses
• A recent study reveals that 1.2 million buildings in England are at flood risk without defenses.
• Surface-water flooding poses the greatest threat, especially in economically disadvantaged areas.
• The Environment Agency estimates 6.3 million properties are susceptible to flooding, exacerbated by new construction in flood-prone areas.
Millions of buildings at risk of flooding
A recent study highlights that approximately 1.2 million buildings in England are at risk of flooding without any flood defenses. Conducted by Ordnance Survey and Snowflake, the research indicates that two-thirds of these vulnerable buildings are located in economically disadvantaged areas, primarily threatened by surface-water flooding rather than rising rivers or sea levels. The urgency is heightened by record rainfall levels in early 2026, underscoring the impact of climate change.
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