Data Sources
Current directory snapshot
Flood-area and station metadata was refreshed from the Environment Agency at 6 Aug 2026, 01:13 (UK time). Live warnings and water levels are requested separately when you view them.
Environment Agency Real Time Flood Monitoring API
Our primary data source is the Environment Agency's Real Time Flood Monitoring API, which provides:
- Flood area designations (warning and alert areas)
- Monitoring station locations and metadata
- Live water level readings
- Active flood warnings and alerts
API documentation: environment.data.gov.uk/flood-monitoring/doc/reference
Update Frequency
| Data Type | Update Frequency |
|---|---|
| Flood warnings | Fetched live; source timing controlled by EA |
| Water level readings | Fetched live; source timing controlled by EA |
| Flood area data | Snapshot refreshed when the data build runs |
| Station metadata | Snapshot refreshed when the data build runs |
| County statistics | Snapshot refreshed when the data build runs |
Licence
Flood risk data is published by the Environment Agency under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This means the data is free to use, share, and adapt for any purpose, including commercial use, subject to attribution.
Attribution statement:
Contains Environment Agency information © Environment Agency and/or database right. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Coverage
The Environment Agency API covers England only. Flood monitoring in Scotland is provided by SEPA, and in Wales by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Scotland and Wales are not covered by this directory.
Disclaimer
FloodWatch UK is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Environment Agency or any government body. The information on this site is for general guidance only. For official flood warnings and risk assessments, visit check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk.
Directory pages can lag behind the latest EA metadata. Live-warning and water-level panels request current API data, but availability is not guaranteed. Use the official service for safety-critical decisions.