More than 5,000 homes in Gazette area at risk of flooding

West Sussex County Council has launched the Flood Push 2013 campaign to encourage people to act now so that they are prepared if the county is hit by heavy rainfall, flash storms or an increase in sea levels this winter.

Due to climate change, the risk of flooding is more frequent and more severe.

Cabinet member for highways and transport, Pieter Montyn, said: “Floods can turn lives upside down, which is unfortunately what happened to people in many parts of West Sussex last summer.

“Flooding is a complex and unpredictable problem, so residents must prepare themselves and their homes against the threat of it happening.

“Acting now can save you a lot of heartache in the long run.”

Homeowners are urged to check to see if their property is at risk of flooding, either from surface water or from river or sea risk.

The Arun district contains 13 ‘wet spots’ covering the low-lying coastal urban area.

The flood risk in Littlehampton is posed largely by surface water, and if an extreme rainfall occurred, 1,200 properties would be at risk.

However, as Littlehampton lies in a flood plain and has the River Arun flowing through its heart, the town also faces a significant risk of flooding if the river was to burst its banks.

For the full story, read this week’s Littlehampton Gazette, out from Thursday, November 7.