Flood warnings and flood risk in Wales

How to check flood risk by postcode in Wales

Natural Resources Wales, often shortened to NRW, offers a postcode risk check and flood maps. These help you understand an area's ongoing chance of flooding. For what is happening today, open the separate live-warning service.

If a map is unavailable, check the service page for updates and use Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for advice. A missing map or a failed page does not tell you anything about the risk on the ground.

Open NRW's postcode flood-risk check (opens in a new tab)

Use the five-day outlook alongside local warnings

NRW's flooding hub links to live warnings, river and sea data, rainfall information and a five-day risk outlook. The outlook helps you think ahead; a warning's location, timing and instructions help you decide what to do during an incident.

For a journey, also check road information before leaving. NRW links to Traffic Wales from its postcode guidance. A route can become disrupted even when your own property is outside the affected area.

Find NRW's outlook and river-level services (opens in a new tab)

Sign up for flood-warning messages in a format you can use

Have the location, an email address and a telephone number that can reach you day or night ready. NRW's free service offers messages by text, call and/or email. You can register more than one location, such as home and a relative's address.

The service is not available for every flooding situation. Read NRW's coverage information and language options, and check that your registration details remain correct. If expected messages do not arrive, contact NRW rather than assuming the location is safe.

See NRW registration, coverage and language options (opens in a new tab)

Plan for the building you actually live in

A plan for a bungalow, basement flat or home with limited mobility needs a realistic safe destination. Think through how each person could get there and what help would be required. Discuss the plan while routes are dry and there is time to arrange support.

NRW recommends a written flood plan and an accessible kit. Keep key contacts, medicines and essential items easy to find. If you rent, ask the landlord or managing agent about the building's arrangements and who deals with flood-protection equipment.

Protection, insurance and sandbags: check in advance

Ask your insurer or landlord what flood cover and temporary accommodation arrangements apply. Photograph important belongings when it is safe, and keep contact and policy details accessible.

NRW does not supply sandbags. Local councils may have some during a flood, but availability is not guaranteed. For lasting protection, NRW recommends a suitable property survey: the wrong products may be ineffective or cause damage. Do not make a last-minute shopping trip your main plan.

Read NRW's property and household preparation advice (opens in a new tab)

Your next 20 minutes: turn information into a plan

Keep the plan short enough to use under pressure. A named contact and an agreed place are more useful than an untested list of possibilities. Revisit the plan after a move or a change in someone's care needs.

• Check the risk service and save the NRW live-warning link where you can find it.
• Register the locations that matter and discuss who will notice and act on a message.
• Name a safer destination, a person to contact and the assistance anyone may need.
• Put your key numbers and essentials together, then complete the household plan below.