Can we ever completely stop flooding?

After attending a recent community flood risk meeting, it became clear that many some communities in flood risk areas are expecting and being told that flooding can be eradicated. While this might sound reassuring, it is unfortunately a misconception. No matter how much investment is made, there is, unfortunately, no way to stop flooding completely.

 

Although flooding cannot be eradicated, it can be managed. Through better understanding, realistic expectations and preparation, communities can become safer and more resilient in the face of growing flood risk.

Above view on excavator dredge is dredging, working on river, canal, deepening and removing sediment, mud from riverbed in a polluted waterway.

Image: Roman_23203/stock.adobe.com

Broken down cars submerged in a flooded ford after heavy rain

Image: David Calvert/stock.abode.com

Why Flooding Cannot Be Eradicated

Flooding is a natural process that will always pose a risk, especially as our climate changes. With heavier rainfall, rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events and storms, flooding is becoming more frequent and intense, and the excess water must go somewhere. We are increasingly seeing floodplains reach full capacity after heavy rainfall events, and it’s important to remember that this is a natural part of how water moves through the environment.

Even the most complex capital flood risk management schemes cannot guarantee complete protection. These schemes are designed to protect against a certain level of flood severity, based on historical data and predicted events. However, with climate change driving heavier rainfall, rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather, the severity of flooding is increasing, meaning that the original design standards may no longer fully cover future events. At best, these schemes reduce the likelihood and impact of flooding, but a residual risk will always remain.

Residual risk means that even where defences exist, flooding can still occur if:

  • An event is larger than the scheme was designed for
  • Defences are overtopped or breached
  • A different type of flooding (such as surface water flooding) occurs

Water cannot simply be stopped; it has to move through the landscape. In some cases, reducing flood risk in one area can unintentionally increase it elsewhere, which is why careful planning and modelling is essential before any scheme is approved.

The Role of Risk Management Authorities

Flood Risk Management Authorities (RMAs), including the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities and water companies, have a responsibility to manage flood risk, not to stop flooding entirely. Their work focuses on:

  • Managing flood risk where possible
  • Maintaining and improving existing defences
  • Supporting communities to prepare for and recover from flood events

It can therefore be misleading when the public are told that flooding will be stopped completely. RMAs work tirelessly to protect communities, but their duty is to manage and reduce risk, not to eradicate it.

Flood risk management is a shared responsibility, while authorities build and maintain defences, individuals and communities also play a vital role in staying prepared.

For more information on how flood risk is managed, and the various stakeholders involved, visit our page by clicking here.

 

Flood Schemes Are Not Quick Fixes

Flood risk management schemes are complex and take time to plan and build, often spanning years or even decades. For example, after Storm Desmond in 2015 caused devastating flooding in Kendal, the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme was developed to improve protection for the town. Nearly ten years later, in 2025, the scheme is still under construction.

These schemes are carefully designed to protect communities, but they aren’t quick fixes and can’t guarantee flooding won’t occur again, especially as future flood levels may exceed the original design standards.

 

Different Types of Flooding

Another important factor is that there is no single type of flooding. A flood scheme might protect against river flooding, but other forms of flooding can still occur. These include:

  • Surface water flooding: caused by heavy rainfall overwhelming drains
  • Groundwater flooding: when underground water levels rise into basements or low-lying areas
  • Coastal flooding: from storm surges and sea level rise
  • Sewer flooding: when drainage systems back up during intense rainfall

Many properties are at risk from more than one type of flooding, meaning that even with defences in place, there is no absolute protection.

To explore the different types of flooding, view our page here which explains them in more detail.

 

Living with Flood Risk

While the idea of completely eradicating flooding is appealing, the reality is that unfortunately, it will always be a part of life in some areas. Instead of aiming to eliminate it entirely, communities can focus on adapting to and managing flood risk, reducing its impacts through careful planning, preparation and improving resilience.

These steps can include:

  • Installing property flood resilience (PFR) measures such as flood doors, airbrick covers, or pump systems. These measures help reduce damage when flooding occurs.
    • Learn more about the different types of PFR on our page by clicking here.
    • Explore considerations for your property in our blog by clicking here.
  • Developing and practicing community flood plans. Ensuring everyone knows what to do before, during and after a flood can save lives and reduce disruption. Visit our community flood group toolkit by clicking here.
    Signing up for flood alerts and warnings where available, early notification gives time to act and protect people, property and possessions.
    By taking these steps, communities and households can live more safely with flood risk, reducing impacts and building long-term resilience even in areas where flooding is unavoidable.

We may never be able to stop flooding completely, but by preparing wisely, planning carefully and working together, we can reduce its impact and keep communities safer for the future.