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Looking after what matters, from the world around us to the people living in it.
Floods… they're more common than you think
6.3 million homes across England are now at risk of flooding. And the Environment Agency expects that number to jump to 7.5 million by 2050. That's around 1 in 4 households. What used to be once in a lifetime events are now happening around every five years.
1 in 4 UK homes will be at risk of flooding by 2050
But that's not the whole picture. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and as a result, properties get hit by surface water flooding. It's something that's already affected 20% of Brits. In England alone around 4.6 million homes are currently at risk and there are three times as many properties at high risk from surface water flooding than from rivers and the sea combined.
One thing is clear. Over the last two years, flooding events have spiked. But nearly half of us haven’t taken any steps to protect our homes. And with surface flooding becoming more common, it’s more important than ever to be prepared.
We’re doing something about it.
For over 30 years, we’ve been here when you need us. But now, we want to be there for you before problems even start. So, we’ve set up our very own Flood Force – a mix of experts and familiar faces. They're here to give you the advice you need to prepare for floods in your area.
But that’s not all. We're also working hand in hand with the National Trust to help prevent flooding before it happens. All through three nature-based projects involving the restoration of rivers and local ecosystems. And even the reintroduction of beavers to the UK.
Meet our Flood Force
Think flooding is only caused by burst river banks and rising sea levels? Think again. Surface water flooding is a growing problem across the UK. TV presenter, Sean Fletcher shines a light on this issue and introduces our Flood Force. They've got the tips you need to make your home more flood resilient.
Watch the videoLearn more about our experts
We want to help you better prepare for flooding. So, we've assembled a team of leading voices in conservation, property resilience, and climate education. Each expert brings insights and tips to the table, helping you to prevent floods where you live. We call them our Flood Force. Come meet the team:
Sean Fletcher, TV presenter - National Trust ambassador and host of several British TV shows
Sean is passionate about preserving natural spaces so everyone can enjoy the outdoors.
Ben Eardley, National Trust - Senior project manager
Ben is an expert in nature-based solutions that boost biodiversity, build climate resilience and reduce flood risk.
Danny Clarke, @theblackgardener
Garden designer and TV presenter with a passion for gardening, biodiversity and climate change education. You can catch Danny's work on his socials.
Joel Read, Ashfield Solutions Group
Joel is an expert at assessing flood risk and creating tailored solutions to help people keep their properties safe and dry.
Mary Long-Dhonau OBE, AKA Flood Mary
After experiencing the effects of flooding firsthand, it’s been Mary’s mission to help people be better prepared for floods. Her hard work has earned her the nickname ‘Queen of Floods’.
Top tips from our Flood Force
Here's how to make your home more flood resilient. We've got small everyday changes to long term solutions just for you.
“Surface flooding is becoming a bigger issue for many homes across the UK, but we can all make small changes to be prepared and better protect our homes.”
Sean Fletcher
Danny’s tips
- 1 Choose grass instead of artificial grass for your lawn
- 2 Invest in a water butt to help reduce the risk of surface water flooding
Ben’s tips
- 3 Plant native species – trees and plants help absorb water
- 4 Consider a driveway that allows water to pass through it rather than one that is made of concrete or tarmac
Joel’s tips
- 5 Fit a non-return valve to prevent waste from flowing back into the system, protecting against contamination and flooding
- 6 Look to replace any air bricks with the approved anti-flood version, this will automatically shut off water access during a flood
Mary’s tips
- 7 Puddle pumps can remove large volumes of water from flooded areas
- 8 Buy an inflatable toilet bung to reduce sewage backflow during a flood
Want more tips and advice?
Hear more from our Flood Force over on our socials. They’ll be sharing more tips on how you can prepare for flooding. From gardening advice that lowers your flood risk, to ways you can make sure your home and belongings stay safe.
Catch the Flood Force on InstagramCatch the Flood Force on facebook
Nature’s not the problem, it’s the answer
So what's causing this surge in flooding?
A large part of it comes down to how we use the land and what people have built on it. But now it's time to work more closely with nature to protect what matters.
With the National Trust, we'll restore our natural water systems to their former glory through our three projects. It's natural flood management at its finest.
Here are our partnership projects at a glance:
Holnicote - Exmoor National Park
With our support, the National Trust is working on bold, new nature-based solutions. And we've employed some very charismatic creatures to help — one dam at a time. That's right. After 400 years beavers are back in the UK! Their natural building skills don't just slow down water and reduce flood risks, they also create habitats where wildlife can thrive.
Conwy - Eryri, AKA Snowdonia
We're working with the National Trust to restore our peatlands. These areas act as natural sponges soaking up 20 times their weight in rain and floodwater. But over recent decades many peatlands have been eroded away or dried out, stopping them from being effective. By restoring these peatlands, we're bringing back a vital line of flood defence.
Goldrill Beck - The Lake District
We're supporting the National Trust in restoring the River Liza back to its natural path, reconnecting it with its floodplains once more. We're also creating 17 hectares of wetland habitats, perfect for storing excess rain and flood water. A river monitoring system will be set up, too, providing real time insights on water levels.
With these projects, not only are we lowering flood peaks, but we’re also looking out for you — providing a much-needed way to adapt and prepare for floods.
Sources
1 in 4 UK homes will be at risk of flooding by 2050
6.3 million homes across England are now at risk of flooding. And the Environment Agency expects that number to jump to 7.5 million by 2050. That’s around 1 in 4 households.
What used to be once in a lifetime events are now happening around every five years.
Heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and as a result, properties get hit by surface water flooding. It's something that's already affected 20% of Brits.
Data collected following a consumer survey of 2,002 Brits conducted by Admiral Home Insurance in Sept 2025.
In England alone around 4.6 million homes are currently at risk and there are three times as many properties at high risk from surface water flooding than from rivers and the sea combined.
Over the last two years, flooding events have spiked.
Data from FOIs issued to UK councils in summer 2025, showing the number of individual homes affected by flash flooding in the past two full years (2023-2024).
But nearly half of us haven’t taken any steps to protect our homes.
Data collected following a consumer survey of 2,002 Brits conducted by Admiral Home Insurance in Sept 2025.