Bognor Medical Centre has experienced flooding following Storms Austen and Boelo, with heavy rain, high tides and strong winds putting its lifts out of action.

The incident occurred on Monday (October 26) after the Environment Agency issued a flood alert for coastal areas from Selsey to Elmer, including Bognor Regis.

In a Facebook post, Bognor Medical Centre told patients its lifts were out of action due to flooding, impacting those with limited mobility.

Its lifts have since been fixed and are now operating, but the incident calls into question the flooding protection coastal areas may need as more storms are expected to hit the UK this autumn and winter.

Bognor Medical Centre has experienced flooding following Storms Austen and Boelo, with heavy rain, high tides and strong winds putting its lifts out of action. Photo: Google Earth.

placeholder image — Bognor Medical Centre has experienced flooding following Storms Austen and Boelo, with heavy rain, high tides and strong winds putting its lifts out of action. Photo: Google Earth.

According to the Met Office, the “unprecedented” El Nino the world is seeing this year is increasing the likelihood of storms across Northwestern Europe. As trade winds weaken, warm surface water builds up in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Heat and moisture then transfer into the air above, shifting jet streams and driving storms into new regions.

With multiple incidents of flooding, power cuts and reduced reservoir levels across Sussex over the last few days, there is perhaps incentive to prepare for the next wave of low-pressure coming our way – something the Met Office will name ‘Storm Chloe’.