Release date: 12 October 2026
As part of Flood Action Week, West Sussex County Council is encouraging residents to take simple steps now to reduce the impact of flooding and ensure they are prepared should severe weather affect the county this winter.
To support this, the council have produced an online flood guide which provides practical advice on how to prepare, what to do during a flood and where to find support afterwards.
Cllr Natasha Davie, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, said: “While flooding is often associated with rivers and the coast, it can also happen in urban areas following intense or prolonged rainfall, affecting roads, homes and communities.
"Flooding can affect anyone and often happens more quickly than people expect. We want residents to feel informed and prepared before winter. By understanding their flood risk and taking action now, people can better protect their homes, families and communities from the impacts of flooding."
Residents are encouraged to check whether they live in a flood-risk area and take simple steps to reduce the impact of flooding should it occur. This could include signing up for flood warnings, preparing an emergency kit, creating a household flood plan and considering measures such as flood barriers or airbrick covers to help protect their property.
Alongside helping residents prepare, the county council continues to work with the Environment Agency, district and borough councils, water companies and emergency services to manage flood risk across West Sussex. This partnership approach is reflected in the council’s flood strategy, which looks at the entire journey of water through a catchment to identify and tackle risks early, using measures such as natural flood management to help protect communities.
Communities across the county can also participate in the council's Operation Watershed programme when larger projects which can have a positive impact on the wider community have been identified. The programme provides funding for local projects designed to reduce flood risk and improve resilience.
One recent example is in Ashurst, where more than £32,000 of Operation Watershed funding was approved to address long-standing flooding issues on Honeybridge Lane and Pepper's Lane. During prolonged periods of rainfall, both roads regularly flooded, affecting access to the village and creating difficulties for residents, motorists and families travelling to Ashurst Primary School.
The project included a new culvert, improvements to roadside drainage ditches and highway resurfacing works to improve drainage. Together, these measures will help reduce the risk of flooding and make the community more resilient during wet weather.
Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council, said: "While no organisation can completely prevent flooding, we continue to invest in measures that improve resilience across West Sussex and reduce the risk of local flooding wherever possible.
“Through our Operation Watershed programme, we are supporting communities to deliver practical schemes that help protect homes, roads and local infrastructure from the impacts of severe weather. Projects like the one in Ashurst show how this funding can make a real difference for residents."
If flooding does occur, residents should contact the relevant organisation depending on the source of the flooding:
• West Sussex County Council Highways for highway flooding, blocked drains and surface water
• The Environment Agency for river and coastal flooding.
• Water companies for sewer flooding.
• District and borough councils for local support and environmental health issues.
• Emergency services via 999 where there is a danger to life.
For more information about flooding and how to prepare your home, visit Flooding - West Sussex County Council.
