We investigate flooding where we consider it necessary or desirable and publish the results.
The purpose of investigations is to determine:
- which risk management authorities have relevant flood risk management functions
- whether each of those has exercised, or is proposing to exercise, those functions in response to a flood event
The reports do not blame or hold any authority or individual to account nor legally enforce any recommendations made.
We may undertake a section 19 flood investigation when:
- one or more properties are internally flooded
- one or more critical service is internally flooded
- one or more critical service can't operate due to lack of access
- one or more flooded critical installation results in the loss of a service impacting on a local community, or causes pollution to internal property
- at least two hectares of grade 3+ agricultural land is flooded for more than two days
- any national 3+ category road is made impassable due to flooding
- flooding to a minor road occurs cutting off access to a village, hamlet or blocks a bus route
- flooding occurs to a railway/ station adversely impacting on normal timetables or cuts of a rail link
Section 19 flood investigations may also be undertaken for events which impact upon the local environment and/or cultural heritage, or upon the receipt of a request by a member of parliament.
Priority is given to floods which affect one or more properties.
View completed and ongoing investigations