EX18 7LX - Flood, Heat, Air & Subsidence Risk - Northam (EX18)

Torridge, Northam (EX18)

Climate risk summary for EX18 7LX

EX18 7LX in Northam (EX18) has a Very low flood risk - EA NaFRA2 data records no properties in a flood risk zone in this postcode. Heat risk is Lower, with a median (50th percentile) of 13 days above 25°C per year, averaged over the 2021-2040 period under the RCP8.5 high emissions scenario (Met Office UKCP18). Air quality is Low at PM2.5 4.7 μg/m³, within the WHO annual guideline of 5 μg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR). Ground conditions are Low risk, with Sandstone geology; shrink-swell risk is classed as improbable (BGS GeoClimate).

• Flood: EA NaFRA2: no properties at flood risk in this postcode.
• Heat: Projected 13 days above 25°C per year, 2021-2040 average (Met Office UKCP18, 50th percentile under RCP8.5, 12 km grid - postcodes within the same grid cell share this value).
• Air quality: PM2.5 4.7 µg/m³ - within the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR PCM model, council-level average - every postcode in this council shows this value).
• Ground: BGS data: Sandstone geology. Shrink-swell risk classed as improbable (British Geological Survey).
• Green space: 84% of households here have accessible green space within a 15-minute walk (the government's Environmental Improvement Plan standard), and less than 1% have a park or green space within a 200m walk of their door - below the England median (Defra, 2025).

What is the flood risk in EX18 7LX?

Flood risk at EX18 7LX is rated Very Low, based on Environment Agency NaFRA2 modelling.

Environment Agency flood zone data shows very low flood risk for EX18 7LX in Northam (EX18). EA NaFRA2 data shows no properties at flood risk in this postcode. The band reflects the highest flood risk within the postcode; some properties within this postcode may face little or no direct flood risk. For a specific property, a conveyancing search will confirm the exact flood zone position.

How is the air quality in EX18 7LX?

Air quality at EX18 7LX is rated Low, based on Defra UK-AIR annual mean PM2.5 data. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) comes primarily from road traffic, industry, and domestic burning. Long-term exposure above the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health risks. Buyers and renters in higher air quality risk areas may wish to consider whether the property is near busy roads or industrial sources.

Is subsidence a risk at EX18 7LX?

British Geological Survey data classes the underlying soil at EX18 7LX as Sandstone, with shrink-swell hazard rated improbable (subsidence risk band: Low). A structural survey is the reliable way to assess ground conditions for a specific property.

Where does this data come from?

This LocalRisk report for EX18 7LX draws on four official UK open data sources: Environment Agency NaFRA2 flood modelling, Met Office UKCP18 climate projections, Defra UK-AIR PM2.5 monitoring, and British Geological Survey GeoClimate subsidence mapping. Risk ratings are a screening tool, complementing - not replacing - the searches and surveys ordered as part of a property transaction. Data covers Torridge and is updated as new official datasets are published.

About the Torridge area

Torridge has a predominantly rural and coastal setting with estuaries, rolling countryside and dispersed settlements, and experiences cool, wet winters and mild summers, influenced by Atlantic weather and varied topography.

Climate risk can change street by street, so it is worth checking neighbouring postcodes too. The full risk report for EX18 7AA is at localrisk.co.uk/postcode/EX187AA, and you can compare EX18 7LX side by side with any UK postcode at localrisk.co.uk/compare.