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Flood risk maps
09/09/2007
The most accurate picture of properties at risk of flooding in Scotland was revealed today on the eve of the country's first ever summit on flooding.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead launched the first ever maps which detail the locations of properties most at ris.
Produced by Scottish Government analysts, the maps are divided into local authority areas, providing focused visual impressions of the areas most at threat, liable to flooding once every 200 years.
Almost 100,000 properties are built on fluvial or coastal flood zones. Glasgow City has, potentially, the most properties at risk in the fluvial or river flood zone, with 11,500 dwellings and 250 commercial sites. Falkirk, is most at risk from coastal flooding with more than 6,000 dwellings in risk locations.
Mr Lochhead said:
"Scotland cannot ignore the threat which climate change brings in increasing the occurrence of wet, stormy weather.
"We have each seen images flash across our television screens of people's homes and livelihoods, quite literally, being swept away by floods. "We must act on the likelihood of the events becoming more frequent and equip ourselves with the knowledge and information needed to minimise the risks.
"These maps are a good resource in identifying which areas are most at risk and will help professionals plan against and tackle flood risk head on.
"Tomorrow I will host Scotland's first ever flooding summit, gathering together experts from the different professions involved to assess whether or not our current defences are fit for purpose.
"From this open and honest assessment we will all work together to ensure a robust and integrated system of flood defences are developed throughout Scotland.
"The new Scottish Government is determined to fully evaluate the flooding risk and do whatever is necessary and practicable to protect communities."
The total land surface area of Scotland bounded by the high water mark is 78,805 km2. The total extent of the fluvial flood zone is 3,425 km2 and covers 4.3 per cent of Scotland. The total extent of the coastal flood zone is 566 km2 and covers 0.7 per cent of Scotland There are an estimated total of 2.5 million properties in Scotland. Of these properties, 3.6 per cent are located within a flood zone, either fluvial or coastal.
The fluvial flood zone affects 2.9 per cent of all properties in Scotland. These potentially affected properties (73,313) can be split into 'dwellings' (68,492) and 'commercial' properties (4,821).
The local authority with the largest area covered by the fluvial flood zone is Highland (1,139 km2), but the local authority with most properties located in the fluvial flood zone is Glasgow City (11,749).