Floods in Prague by address
Most of Prague lies well above the water, but not along the Vltava, the Berounka and smaller streams. Where the water reaches in a big flood, what the barriers protect and how to check a specific building.
Where Prague is at risk of flooding
Prague’s flood zones are set by the city’s maps for the Vltava and the Berounka and by the 100-year flood line for smaller streams such as the Botič, the Rokytka or the Litovický potok. A 100-year flood is one that comes on average once a century, but it can just as well come two years in a row.
1,0 % of Prague addresses (1 354) lie in a flood zone without protection. Another 3 476 addresses would be hit by a big flood but are protected by flood barriers built by the city or the owner.
Neighbourhoods with the largest share of addresses in a flood zone
The highest share of addresses in an unprotected flood zone is in Lipence (18 %), Radotín (8 %) and Velká Chuchle (5 %). 50 Prague neighbourhoods have addresses in a flood zone; in most of them it is only the buildings by the river or a stream.
Barriers and what they protect
After the 2002 flood Prague built a flood defence system of fixed embankments and walls and of mobile barriers that are put up on the embankments during a flood. It protects mainly the centre, Karlín, Holešovice and other neighbourhoods along the Vltava. We don’t count addresses behind the barriers as at risk, but even there groundwater can rise in a big flood and fill cellars.
How to check a specific address
For every address we show whether it lies in a flood zone and, if so, whether in the active zone where the water flows or where it only stands, and whether barriers protect it. You’ll find the same figure for every neighbourhood and district.
What to ask when buying or renting
- Floor: in a flat on a higher floor a flood reaches you mainly through the cellar, the lift and power cuts. Ground floors and basements are most at risk.
- How the building fared in 2002 and 2013: the owner or the neighbours usually know. Water marks are often visible in the cellar.
- Insurance: in a flood zone insurance can be more expensive, or the insurer may offer it with an exclusion. Ask before you sign.
- Groundwater and cellars: even behind a barrier it pays to know whether the building has non-return valves on its drains.
Frequently asked questions
How many Prague addresses lie in a flood zone?
1 354 addresses lie in a flood zone without barrier protection, that is 1,0 % of all Prague addresses. Another 3 476 addresses would be hit by the water but are protected by flood defences.
Which neighbourhoods are most at risk of flooding?
The largest share of addresses in an unprotected flood zone is in Lipence (18 %), Radotín (8 %) and Velká Chuchle (5 %). In total 50 Prague neighbourhoods have addresses in a flood zone.
How do I find out whether a specific building is in a flood zone?
Enter the address in Check an address: for every address we show whether it lies in the flood zone of the Vltava, the Berounka or a stream, and whether flood barriers protect it.