Flood Zone 2 is the Environment Agency's medium-probability flood zone. Here is what it means. Paste an address or postcode below to check its zone, or a whole list.
Quick answer
Flood Zone 2 is land in England with a medium probability of flooding: between a 0.1% and 1% (1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100) chance each year from rivers, or between 0.1% and 0.5% (1 in 1,000 to 1 in 200) from the sea, ignoring flood defences. It also takes in land the Environment Agency has recorded flooding on before. Any planning application there needs a site-specific flood risk assessment.
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UK addresses with a postcode, or postcodes on their own. Only the address is used for the check.
Most uses are appropriate in Flood Zone 2, including homes, once the sequential test shows no reasonably available site at lower risk. Highly vulnerable uses (basement dwellings, permanent caravans, police and fire stations needed in a flood) need the exception test as well.
Flood Zone 2 includes the Environment Agency's accepted recorded flood outlines: land that has flooded before, whatever the modelled chance. The checker's download marks addresses that fall in one.
Flood Zone 2 is a moderate risk for lenders and insurers. Insurance is usually available on normal terms, and Flood Re helps keep home insurance affordable for homes built before 2009 if premiums rise.
A guide and a screening check, not a flood risk assessment. For a planning application, get the official flood map for planning report for the site from GOV.UK.
What does Flood Zone 2 mean?
Land with a medium probability of flooding: a 0.1% to 1% annual chance from rivers, or 0.1% to 0.5% from the sea, plus land that has flooded before.
Is Flood Zone 2 high risk?
It's medium probability: higher than Flood Zone 1, lower than Flood Zone 3.
Can you build in Flood Zone 2?
Yes, for most uses including homes, with a flood risk assessment and after the sequential test. Highly vulnerable uses also need the exception test.
Do I need a flood risk assessment in Flood Zone 2?
Yes, for any development.