Warning as millions of UK properties could be flooded by 2050 – four areas most at risk | Great Britain

Climate change will impact the UK in many ways, including bringing wetter winter months, leaving many properties at high risk of flooding.

This is according to a new report from the Environment Agency (EA), which found that one in four properties in the UK will be at risk of flooding by 2050.

The report warned that these flood risks were due to climate change and found that the risk of flooding in the UK was far greater than previously thought, Mail Online reports.

The report finds that around 4.6 million properties across the UK are currently at risk as new data warns of water flooding caused by rainfall.

Of all the areas in the UK at risk of flooding, London was the worst affected area and other parts of the UK are also at risk.

A total of 300,000 properties in London are already at high risk of surface flooding, according to the data.

“This report is another stark warning of the growing threat the climate crisis poses to people, homes and communities across the country,” said Friends of the Earth campaigner Alison Dilworth.

The EA has launched its first assessment to take into account the warming climate and exercise caution for the eight million homes and businesses at risk of flooding over the next 25 years.

The warning comes after the devastating Storm Daragh, which triggered a series of floods and caused widespread property damage as thousands of homes were left without power.

Previous research has found that the intensity of storms in the UK increased by an average of 20% between October 2023 and March 2024.

The new EA report also found that approximately 184,000 properties are currently at risk and flooding of 30cm or more could occur.

Floodwaters at this depth are known to be strong enough to move cars, causing immense property damage and significant disruption.

Worryingly, the report finds that these flood risks will increase significantly due to climate change, which will bring significantly wetter months in winter.

Other studies have confirmed these warnings of flood damage in the UK, increasing the risk by 25% if no action is taken to combat climate change.

The areas most affected, with existing flood defenses already overwhelmed, include parts of the south-east and north-west of England, including south Wales and central Scotland.

Those living on the coast will experience greater erosion of their properties due to rising sea levels and violent storms, with some homes even at risk of being lost to the sea, rising to 3,500 homes by 2050.

“Providing the best available information on flood and coastal erosion risk to the country is critical to ensuring policymakers, practitioners and communities are prepared to adapt to flooding and coastal change,” added Julie Foley, director of flood risk strategy at the EA, added.