Anywhere in the UK is vulnerable to flash flooding
These 20 FloodSax alternative sandbags came from this one easy-to-carry box
Lucy Bailey with a FloodSax sandless sandbag
FloodSax keeps filthy floodwater out of homes and businesses
FloodSax used inside in their dry state to soak up internal floods and escapes of water
UK towns and cities most likely to flood in 2025 ... and the most cost-effective way to stop the flooding
A new survey has highlighted the towns and cities in the UK most likely to flood in 2025 … and those where flooding is least likely.
The research was carried out by digital marketing experts the Online Marketing Surgery and outdoor garden furniture and log stores manufacturer MG Timber.
It was based on data from weather data website Visual Crossing which revealed the areas with the highest rainfall in 2024 and so potentially most likely to face flooding in 2025.
Surprisingly, a lot of the areas are in the south of the UK whereas traditionally the north has taken the brunt of rainy weather.
But it does reveal a clear pattern that the west of the UK sees far more rain than the east with the wind and rain usually sweeping in from the Atlantic.
This is why Wales, Blackpool and Glasgow see far more rain than people living in the east in places like Dundee, Gillingham and Southend.
The rainiest place turned out to be Exeter in Devon which notched up 1,230mm of rainfall in 2024.
Although London is on the list as one of the driest areas, it can suffer from torrential downpours leading to flash flooding and in the capital people living in basement properties are particularly vulnerable to being flooded out.
Just about anywhere in the UK can flood and in England alone 6.3 million homes and businesses are at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea and surface water.
One company that deals with flooding more than most is Environmental Defence Systems Ltd based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and famous for their award-winning FloodSax alternative sandbags which are far more efficient, flexible and multi-purpose than ordinary sandbags.
Lucy Bailey from EDS said: “We know only too well that flooding can potentially happen anywhere at any time, winter, spring, summer or autumn. Flash floods are very localised and almost impossible to predict and then there’s always the risk of groundwater flooding or burst mains pipes.
“Although London appears on this list as one of the areas with the least rainfall, it suffered two catastrophic flash floods in July 2021 which left more than 1,000 properties flooded, including homes, schools, hospitals and businesses with damage running into many millions of pounds.
“This is why it’s always vital to be prepared for flooding 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many people don’t realise that local authorities have no legal responsibility to provide sandbags or other flood prevention. It’s up to every business or homeowner to protect their own property from flooding and just a few FloodSax can save tens of thousands of pounds flood damage.”
Being flooded also has a terrible impact on people’s mental health.
Online Marketing Surgery says that by examining areas in the UK with the most and least rainfall over one year its Flood Report identifies regions at higher risk, enabling better planning and more targeted flood prevention measures.
Top 10 Most Likely Places To Flood In The UK
|
Area |
Total rainfall (mm) |
|
Exeter |
1230mm |
|
Swansea |
1210mm |
|
Glasgow |
1182mm |
|
Plymouth |
1157mm |
|
Cardiff |
1112mm |
|
Weston-super-Mare |
1086mm |
|
Newport |
1066mm |
|
Stoke-on-Trent |
1066mm |
|
Eastbourne |
1054mm |
|
Blackpool |
1033mm |
Top 10 Least Likely Places To Flood In The UK
|
Area |
Total rainfall (mm) |
|
Guildford |
466mm |
|
Southend-on-Sea |
510mm |
|
Woking |
510mm |
|
Reading |
607mm |
|
Colchester |
634mm |
|
Chelmsford |
636mm |
|
Dundee |
642mm |
|
Basildon |
644mm |
|
Gillingham |
649mm |
|
London |
664mm |
People turn to FloodSax as they are incredibly cost-effective, retailing at around £140 for a box of 20 which is sufficient to protect most premises. The insurance excess for flooding is usually at least double that at around £350 so it makes absolute sense to buy FloodSax and be prepared.
In their dry state FloodSax are very flat with a large surface area so are ideal to soak up leaks, drips, spills and floods such as beneath sinks, below boilers and even underneath pipes under floorboards. FloodSax will also absorb water leaking in through roofs and windows.
To transform FloodSax into instant sandbags, simply immerse them fully in water and the gelling polymer inside the FloodSax absorbs and retains the water, transforming the FloodSax into an instant sandless sandbag which is a uniform shape so they are easy to handle and stack.
Around 3 million have now been sold worldwide.
To buy FloodSax go to https://www.floodsax.co.uk/buy/uk-suppliers