Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) are areas where highest flood risk exists now or is likely to occur in the future.

They help Scotland understand and prioritise where actions to manage flooding would be of most benefit. They are areas identified by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) using information from the National Flood Risk Assessment and in consultation with others.  

You can view the NFRA here:  the NFRA 2018 tool   

In the current cycle of flood risk management planning (2022-2028) we have both catchment based PVAs and community based areas at risk known as target areas. 

The next flood risk management planning cycle (2028-2034) will use community based PVAs.  This change from catchment to community based PVAs has been the result of a consultation process involving the public, local authorities, and Scottish Government.  

Published in December 2024 the PVAs for 2028-2034 are shown in the maps below.  

You can view the flood risk management plans here:  Flood Risk Management Plans  

You can view the PVA consultation summary here:  We Asked, You Said, We Did - Citizen Space  

You can download the PVAs here:  Environmental data  

The interactive slider below shows the changes in the PVAs

• Interactive Slider:
  • The slider in the middle allows you to compare the two maps by dragging it left or right. Move it left to see more of the 2028–2034 areas, or right to focus on the 2022–2028 areas.

This interactive map of Scotland displays the new 2028-2034 PVAs, use the controls to scroll, zoom and click on the regions to find out more information about the PVA.

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