Flood Risk in the UK What Businesses Need to Do
Flooding is no longer a rare, seasonal risk. For UK small businesses, the threat is real, and rising.
Whether your premises have flooded before or you think you’re “too far from the river,” the data shows every business should take flood resilience seriously in 2025.
Why Flood Risk Is Everyone’s Business
Over 185,000 businesses in England and Wales are at risk of flooding. Many are unprepared, uninsured, or only find out when it’s too late.
Government and Parliament now classify flooding as a major threat to business continuity, supply chains, and regional economies.
Climate change and extreme weather mean that heavy rain, flash flooding, and surface water incidents are increasing year-round.
Check Your Business’s Flood Risk, Right Now
Don’t guess:
Use the free government flood risk checker to see your current and long-term risk.
Sign up for Floodline alerts, and get warnings by text, email, or phone, crucial for acting fast.
Flood is not rare, it’s the most common and widespread natural disaster in the UK.
Even businesses that have never flooded before need to be prepared. As the Environment Agency emphasises:
“Flooding is the most common and widespread natural disaster in the UK.”
Take Action Practical Steps Every Business Should Take
Create a Business Flood Plan
Download and complete the government’s flood plan checklist.
Assign roles, document emergency contacts, and plan how to protect stock/equipment quickly
Prepare Your Premises
Move valuables above ground level if flooding threatens.
Consider property flood resilience measures like door barriers, non-return valves, and raised sockets.
Test Your Plan and Train Your Team
Hold a drill at least once a year. Make sure staff know what to do if an alert arrives.
Review Your Insurance
Standard property or public liability policies may not cover flood or business interruption.
Speak to a FSB Insurance Service broker, ask for a free review of your flood cover and business interruption insurance.
Go Further: Use the Best Tools Available
Flood Hub Business Toolkit: Everything from checklists to staff training and recovery steps.
Google Flood Hub: For global awareness, see real-time and seven-day river flood forecasts powered by AI, an international gold standard now adopted in over 100 countries.
Flood Resilience: Not Just About Insurance
The National Audit Office and British Red Cross both find that early warnings and a good plan save businesses time, money, and stress.
Mental health and staff wellbeing can suffer after a flood, another reason to prepare now, not after.
What to Do Next: Your Flood-Ready Checklist
✅ [ ] Check your flood risk and sign up for warnings
✅ [ ] Download and fill out a business flood plan
✅ [ ] Share and test the plan with your team
✅ [ ] Create or update your business continuity plan
✅ [ ] Review your insurance cover and excesses
✅ [ ] Save key numbers and contacts (including your broker)
Useful Links
Check your flood risk (gov.uk)
Sign up for flood alerts (gov.uk)
Business flood plan checklist (gov.uk)
Flood Hub SME resources (Environment Agency)
Google Flood Hub
FSB: How to create a business continuity plan
FSB: Workplace Wellbeing Hub
FSB Insurance Service: Practical guide for businesses at risk of flood
Need a Flood-Ready Insurance Review?
Our team explains flood cover in plain English and knows what matters to small business owners.
Call 020 3883 7976 for a free, no-pressure review.