Environmental situations which may cause flooding on the Isle of Man

Most of the flooding which can affect different parts of the Island is brought by prevailing weather conditions.

Although Manx Coastal Waters experience a fairly large tidal range, the Island's coastal defences and quaysides are built to levels above the highest spring tides. However, stormy weather can bring surges and swell which can further raise sea level, causing flooding around our harbours and large waves to break over parts of the coast.

The Island's terrain provides natural drainage for much of our rainfall to reach the sea. However, exceptional rainfall events and prolonged spells of wet weather can sometimes overwhelm the natural and man-made drainage systems and cause flooding.

For more information about environmental situations which can bring a risk of flooding please click on the titles.