History
Lewes has a long history of flooding, with major floods in 2000, 1960, 1938, 1911, 1909, 1878 and every 30 or 40 years until records begin in the early 17th century.
2000 Floods
On 12th October 2000, the River Ouse and Winterbourne Stream burst their banks, causing devastating flooding to 612 homes and 200 businesses. More than 1000 people were homeless for many months whilst their homes were dried out and repaired. Over 100 of the flooded businesses did not reopen.
Flood Film and Information
Here is a film about recent lewes Floods Flood Film
Here is some information about the reasons for the Lewes Floods.
Conference and Public meeting
Members of the public and local flood risk management specialists learned about the causes of the floods, the emergency response and rescue efforts, the actions taken since, and the work still needed in the future.
Flood Memories
Flooding causes great damages, is very dangerous, frightening and disruptive. It leaves strong memories for many people. We the interviewed and recorded people’s memories, including how the Town came together, often with great acts of kindness, to help flooded people who had nowhere to go.
List of contributors:
David Muddle – Thomas Street
John Russell – Caffyns Garage
Nathan Gower – Aged 10 at the time
Jonathan Hunter – Environment Agency Flood Control Room
Phil Norris – Southerham and Ranscombe Farm
Zelma Player – Morris Road
Lindsay Frost – Lewes District Council
Doctor Ian Hempshall – River Lodge Surgery
John Gower – Environment Agency
Grace Blaker – the Rescue of Mabel Pratt from Morris Road
Richard Burrows – South Street
William Ball – Morris Road and evacuees at South Malling School
Paul Manners – 1960
Paul Manners – Cliffe High Street 2000
Peter Atkin – Malling Deanery 1960
John Cornwall – Barcombe
Susan Crossett – Riverdale, South Malling
Paul Mockford – Orchard Road
Climate Change
Lewes faces many challenges from climate change, including higher future flood risks. Here are some slides of how we might adapt, now and in the future, to these increased risks.
Sofia’s Slide show.
Surface water flooding
Lewes is also at greater risk of surface water flooding. Nevill Green, in particular has experienced surface water and sewer flooding. In 2024 the Fire Brigade had to pump out the roads to allow Nevill Juvenile Bonfire to march past. Householders can often help reduce the causes of surface water run off, and flooding, by not paving over their front gardens for car parking, nor diverting roof drainage to the sewer or road systems.
Installing ‘rain gardens’ and planters slows down the flow of runoff especially during ‘flash storms’ ..
What next ?
During the Flood Exhibition we asked people 4 questions :-
1. What are your concerns for future flooding?
2. What aspects of flood risk would you like to know more about?
3. What actions would you like to see?
4. What are your suggestions / ideas for better future flood resilience in Lewes?
Over 80 people gave us their views. The main areas of concern were: –
1. Stop Building on the Flood Plain / Reform Planning Policy
2. Inadequate Drainage, Maintenance & Infrastructure Failure
3. Calling for more Nature-Based and Adaptive Flood Solutions
You can read a full summary here:-
Find out more
links to more information
Climate hub. https://lewesclimatehub.org/remembering-the-lewes-floods-25-years-on
LDC. https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/flooding
L.D.C – Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
Lewes Town Council – Link to Flood anniversary report to follow when report completed
Your Flood risk – Environment Agency