Flood risk across East Sussex
River flooding hit East Sussex hard in October 2000, when the Ouse flooded Uckfield and Lewes. Coastal towns such as Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings face risk from the sea, and the low-lying Pevensey Levels and Romney Marsh fringes rely on drainage and sea defences.
Flood zones only show river and sea flooding, and they ignore flood defences. Surface water and reservoir risk aren’t part of the zones – check them on the Environment Agency’s long-term flood risk service, or get the full report, which covers every source.
Rivers that shape local flood risk
Main rivers are managed by the Environment Agency. Smaller watercourses and drainage are the responsibility of East Sussex County Council and landowners.
River Ouse – Uckfield, Lewes and Newhaven
River Uck – Joins the Ouse at Uckfield
River Cuckmere – Alfriston and Cuckmere Haven
River Rother – Rye and the Kent border
River Brede – Rye
English Channel coast – Brighton, Seaford, Eastbourne and Hastings
Who manages flood risk here
East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council are the Lead Local Flood Authorities, responsible for surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency manages main rivers and the sea, and issues flood warnings. Your district or borough council decides planning applications – and asks for a flood risk assessment in Flood Zones 2 and 3.
Getting a written answer for an address
The free check describes the area around your postcode. For a specific property, the full report checks your exact address against every flood dataset and gives you a dated PDF to share with your surveyor, conveyancer or insurer.
For planning decisions, your local council has the final say.
