A public consultation has begun to seek opinions on the new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy - a long-term plan on how the County Council makes communities more resilient to localised flooding primarily from surface water and groundwater sources.
It’s the second cycle of the flood risk management strategy drawn up for West Sussex since the County Council became the lead authority for flooding in 2010.
The document sets out how the County Council works alongside the Environment Agency, water companies and district and borough councils to reduce flood risk, and what each other’s roles and responsibilities are.
It guides the authority and its partners on how to prioritise where money should be invested to minimise flood risks for our local communities.
The strategy will help the County Council achieve its goal of making communities in West Sussex better prepared and more resilient to extreme weather and identifies 25 priority areas most at-risk of flooding.
It comes as parts of the South East have experienced more frequent extreme weather events in recent months as a result of changes in climate, including torrential rain, thunderstorms and localised flash flooding.
Climate projections for the UK indicate that more surface water and flash flooding because of extreme rainfall could be seen in the coming years.
Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment said: “Extreme weather like flooding is the reality of climate change. No longer a distant problem for future generations, it is here right now on the doorsteps of our homes.
“And unfortunately, it’s going to happen more frequently. No city, town or village is immune to flooding and we all need to understand the risks where we live.
“This strategy will identify the action we need to take over the coming years to reduce the risk of flooding affecting residents.
“Flooding causes immense disruption and this strategy is instrumental in our goal to avoid being overwhelmed by the impact of severe downpours.
“We want as many people as possible to share their views and tell us if there is anything they think we have missed.”
The deadline for the public to respond is Wednesday 30th September.
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