One in FOUR properties in England will be at risk of flooding by 2050 thanks to climate change - with Londoners most affected, report warns
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One in four properties in England will be at risk of flooding by 2050 thanks to climate change, a new report has warned. The Environment Agency (EA) found that England's flood risk is much higher than previously estimated, with 6.3 million properties currently under threat.
![[The Environment Agency expects the risk of flooding to significantly increase around the country due to climate change. This map shows the percentage of properties in areas at high or medium risk of flooding from surface water]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/10/93226579-14200709-The_Environment_Agency_expects_the_risk_of_flooding_to_significa-a-27_1734431048082.jpg)
The new data shows that 4.6 million homes and businesses are currently at risk of surface water flooding by rainfall. London is the most affected area, with more than 300,000 properties already at high risk of surface flooding. However, the EA has also included its first assessment to consider the warming climate.
![[There are currently more than 6 million properties in England at risk of flooding. This includes 2.4 million properties which are at risk of flooding by rivers or seas which lead to particularly deep floodwaters. Pictured: The River Severn breaks its banks in Bewdley, Worcestershire, following storm Darragh]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/09/93225595-14200709-image-a-2_1734429069734.jpg)
Worryingly, this indicates that a staggering eight million homes and businesses will be at risk of flooding in the next 25 years. The new report comes after Storm Daragh triggered devastating floods which led to widespread property damage and disruption, leaving five dead and thousands without power.
![[Rising sea levels will create a much greater risk of coastal flooding. A previous study showed that huge swathes of Britain's coastline are at risk of being plunged underwater by 2100. This map shows the areas where the current annual cost of flooding damage (left) is expected to increase over the next 80 years (right)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/09/93225561-14200709-Rising_sea_levels_will_create_a_much_greater_risk_of_coastal_flo-a-6_1734429551006.jpg)
Alison Dilworth, Friends of the Earth campaigner, says: 'This report is yet another stark warning about the growing threat the climate crisis poses to people, homes and communities across the country.'. After Storm Darragh left thousands without power, the Environment Agency now warns that one in four homes could be at risk of flooding by 2050.
![[The Environment Agency now estimates that 3.1 million homes and businesses are at risk of flooding by sea or river by 2050. An earlier study suggests that this will inflict massive costs on the UK reaching into the billions of pounds]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/10/93225563-14200709-The_Environment_Agency_now_estimates_that_3_1_million_homes_and_-a-8_1734429650755.jpg)
The Environment Agency expects the risk of flooding to significantly increase around the country due to climate change. This map shows the percentage of properties in areas at high or medium risk of flooding from surface water. The EA puts flood risks into three categories: flooding by sea, by rivers, and surface water flooding from undrained rainwater.
![[The Environment Agency says that rising sea levels and more violent storms due to climate change mean that more than 100,000 homes will be at risk of being destroyed by coastal erosion before the end of the century. Pictured: Storm Darragh batters the coast of Cornwall]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/10/93225621-14200709-The_Environment_Agency_says_that_rising_sea_levels_and_more_viol-a-9_1734429706666.jpg)
