Local councils report 35% increase in flash flood claims in the last two years

Freedom of Information¹ data obtained by the public sector insurer Zurich Municipal reveals that local councils have received 35% more claims from property owners for flood damage caused by sudden downpours in the last two years¹.

In total, councils have received more than 800 property damage claims over the past three years, primarily due to sudden downpours. The Government’s commitment to invest £1.6 billion in highways maintenance will simply scratch the surface for local authorities as they struggle with Victorian-era drainage systems and torrential rain from climate change.

Many claims involving flood damage can be attributed to blocked drains and insufficient cleaning of gutters, which are struggling to handle the increased flood risk linked to climate change. Zurich Municipal's analysis covers 90 of the 318 local authorities in England, suggesting that the true cost to taxpayers may be significantly higher.

This may be a taste of things to come for local authorities as the Environment Agency predicts there will be an increase in the number of homes at risk of flooding, rising from 6.3 million to eight million by the middle of the century².

To help its customers prevent flooding and damage, Zurich Municipal partners with fintech company Previsico, and their cutting-edge, flash flood forecasting system. The service is provided free of charge to Zurich Municipal’s customers and delivers precise flash flood warnings within a certain distance of a property, up to 48-hours in advance of the weather event which enables targeted response plans to be put in place.

Customers can use this service to set up road diversions, evacuate homes and businesses and set up flood defences where they are needed most. Ultimately, they can use this system to help protect residents’ lives and health.

Alix Bedford, a risk expert at Zurich Municipal, said:

“Well-maintained roads and drainage systems are vital for managing heavy rainfall and mitigating the risk of flash flooding, and will become even more important in the future. So, it is important that this is taken into account when looking at funding and making resourcing decisions.

“However, there are some simple steps that local authorities can take to help mitigate flash flooding. For instance, regularly clearing gutters and gulleys, investing in sustainable urban drainage systems and directing funding for drainage improvement and maintenance in areas that are most at risk of flooding.”

Jonathan Jackson, CEO of Previsico, said:

"The high volume of property damage claims from flooding underscores the importance of proactive maintenance and resilience measures in reducing risk. Through our partnership with Zurich, local councils can access advanced flood prediction solutions, enabling them to take preventative action—up to two days before impact to mitigate flood damage."

In the same way as gritter lorries lay salt on road networks ahead of icy weather, Zurich Municipal calls for councils to establish rapid response teams to clear gutters and gullies in flood-prone neighbourhoods ahead of forecast storms.

Notes to editors

¹Freedom of Information data obtained by Zurich Municipal, relates to surface water/flash flooding claims. Between January 2022 and December 2024, 90 metropolitan and borough councils received 807 claims.
²Environment Agency research