Flood Alert Info - Lower Ouse
Area Description
Lower Ouse and tributaries from Barcombe Mills to Newhaven.
This is a Flood Alert Area. For this area the highest level of flood notification that you will receive is a Flood Alert. No Flood Warnings or Severe Flood Warnings are issued for this area.
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There are no Flood Alerts currently in force for this area. See below for historical flood warnings.
Area Covered by this Flood Alert
The orange highlighted area on the map below outlines the area covered by this Flood Alert.
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Flood Alert History
Number of historic Flood Alerts that have previously been recorded for this area:
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Historical Flood Alerts for this Area
Flood Alert issued on 7 May 2024 07:35
Ouse
The River Ouse is high and rising, following Monday's rain. The lower River Ouse will be higher than normal, and near the tops of the banks. From 10:30 07/05/2024, flooding could again affect fields, rural roads and gardens of Whitfeld Lane and Ivors Lane, Hamsey. In Lewes, a small amount of water could affect Railway Lane, Eastgate Wharf, near the Fire Station and the Pells area and gardens of Riverdale and Malling Deanery near Willeys Bridge. No rain is forecast for the next five days, with high pressure predicted to bring settled weather. As the tide falls, from 14:00 Tuesday afternoon 07/05/2024, the Lower Ouse should also fall. However, minor flood impacts will again occur over Tuesday evening's tide between 23:00 07/05/2024 and 03:00 08/05/2024. The peak water levels should begin to fall from Wednesday evening 08/05/2024. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 12:00 08/05/2024.
Flood Alert issued on 6 May 2024 19:48
Ouse
The River Ouse is high and rising. Almost a month's rain (57mm) has been recorded at Ardingly on Monday. From 23:00 (06/05/2024) the lower River Ouse will be higher than normal, and near the tops of the banks. Flooding could affect fields, rural roads and gardens of Whitfeld Lane and Ivors Lane Hamsey. In Lewes, a small amount of water could affect Railway Lane, Eastgate Wharf, near the Fire Station and the Pells area, and gardens of Riverdale and Malling Deanery near Willeys Bridge. Rain has now cleared the area, and high pressure, bringing settled and dry weather, is now forecast for the next five days. Tuesday morning's tide at 11:00 (07/05/2024) is forecast to be 30cm lower than Monday evening's, however, with the flow coming down the River Ouse, water levels between Barcombe and Newhaven are again expected to be near the tops of the banks. The peak water levels should begin to fall from Wednesday (08/05/2024). Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 10:00 on 07/05/2024.
Flood Alert issued on 8 Apr 2024 13:54
Ouse
Monday evening's tide at 23:45 on 08/04/2024 is higher than normal due to unsettled weather with strong South Westerly Force 7 winds. The weather increases tide table values by 0.66 m. The total forecast tide is 7.71 metres Chart Datum (4.19 mAOD) at Newhaven. For 3 hours after high water, flooding could affect fields, rural roads and gardens, and could approach properties along Whitfeld Lane and Ivors Lane Hamsey, including Bretts Farm and Hamsey Place Farm. In Lewes water could affect Railway Lane, Eastgate Wharf, near the Fire Station and the Pells area, and gardens of Riverdale and Malling Deanery near Willeys Bridge. Flooding could also affect riverside properties along the Lewes Road between Riverside Farm and St John's Church in Piddinghoe. Tuesday's tide at 12:30 on 09/04/2024 is forecast to be 50cm lower (3.69 mAOD). Only minimal flood risk is expected Tuesday afternoon. We continue to monitor the forecast. If you have it, please install flood protection 1 hour before high tide. We will update this message by 18:00 on 09/04/2024.
Flood Alert issued on 12 Mar 2024 17:21
Ouse
The River Ouse is high, and expected to rise this Tuesday evening. 20mm of rain has been recorded at Ardingly. In combination with Tuesday evening's high tide, some minor flood impacts could be possible. There is still uncertainty, but from 23:00 on 12/03/2024, minor flooding could affect fields, rural roads, the Pells and Railway Lane areas, and gardens of Riverdale and Malling Deanery near Willeys Bridge, Lewes. Minor flood impacts could also affect land and gardens near Whitfeld Lane and Ivors Lane, Hamsey, and also near St John's Church in Piddinghoe and South Heighton recreation ground and Works Cottages. Only isolated showers are forecast until Saturday afternoon, meaning upstream river flows should reduce, and tides are forecast to peak lower from Wednesday. Water levels should begin to fall by 03:00 on 13/03/2024, and peak 20cm lower at midday on Wednesday 13/03/2024. Some roads may be affected by flood water. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 14:00 on 13/03/2024.
Flood Alert issued on 29 Oct 2023 00:14
Ouse
Flooding is possible in this area.
Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one.
Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers set the river or tidal levels that have triggered this message. During industrial action this message has been automatically issued based on rising river or tidal levels.
Flood Alert issued on 21 Oct 2021 07:50
Ouse
The River Ouse is high and rising. More than half a month's rain (55mm) has been recorded at Ardingly. For four hours from 11:15 21/10/2021, minor flooding could affect fields, rural roads, gardens and approach properties along Whitfeld Lane and Ivors Lane Hamsey. In Lewes, water could affect Malling Deanery near Willeys Bridge, Railway Lane and the Pells area and gardens of Riverdale. Minor flooding could also affect riverside properties along the Lewes Road between Riverside Farm and St John's Church in Piddinghoe. The peak level Thursday afternoon should be similar to that seen Wednesday evening. Very little rain is forecast until Sunday and Monday. Tides at Newhaven are also forecast to be 20cm lower on Friday. Both these factors mean water levels on the Lower Ouse are not expected to increase significantly over the next few days, with an improving outlook from Friday evening. Some roads may be affected by flood water, please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 18:00 21/10/2021
Flood Alert issued on 15 Nov 2020 17:34
Ouse
A combination of high river levels at Barcombe following heavy rain, and a high tide at Newhaven, is predicted to cause river levels along the Lower Ouse to rise Sunday evening. Between 00:00 and 04:00 on Monday 16/11/2020 river levels are expected to be higher than previously seen this weekend. Minor flooding could affect fields, rural roads, gardens and approach properties around Railway Lane, The Pells, and gardens of Riverdale and Malling Deanery near Willeys Bridge Lewes. Minor flooding could also affect areas near St John's Church in Piddinghoe, and Whitfeld Lane and Ivors Lane Hamsey. Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be dry, and tide levels will reduce, so river levels should fall after Monday lunchtime (16/11/2020). If you have flood protection products, please install as a precaution. Please avoid walking through flood water, it can contain hidden dangers. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 12:00 on 16/11/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 12 Mar 2020 17:09
Ouse
Both of Friday’s tides at 01:30 and 13:45 13/3/2020, at Newhaven, will be lower than those of Thursday and Wednesday, by at least 20cm. There should be slightly fewer flood impacts than recent days. Minor flood impacts could still affect fields, rural roads and gardens, including Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery Lewes, and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe for 3 hours after the high tide times stated in this message. Water levels will be close to the tops of the banks of Denton Island, Newhaven. From Saturday 14/3/2020, we should see smaller wave heights, lower tides and only minimal risk of flooding. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding and install flood protection products before high tide, if you have them. This message will be updated by 19:00 13/03/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 12 Mar 2020 07:50
Ouse
Thursday's tide at 13:00 on 12/03/2020 in Newhaven, is forecast to be very similar to that seen Wednesday lunchtime (7.50 metres Chart Datum, 3.98 mAOD). Flood impacts are also expected to be similar. For 3 hours after high tide (between 13:00 and 16:00 on 12/3/2020), water levels in the Lower Ouse will remain high. Minor flood impacts could affect Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Fields, rural roads, gardens and isolated properties could be affected. Water levels will be close to the tops of the banks of Denton Island, Newhaven. Water levels Friday should be 20cm lower, with flood risk becoming very low from Saturday 14/3/2020. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding and install flood protection products before high tide, if you have them. This message will be updated by 20:00 12/03/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 11 Mar 2020 15:52
Ouse
Thursday's tide at 00:45 on 12/03/2020 in Newhaven is forecast to be about fifteen centimetres lower than that of Wednesday (7.33 metres Chart Datum (3.81 mAOD). Flood impacts should be slightly reduced. For 3 hours after high tide (between 00:45 and 03:45 12/3/2020), water levels in the Lower Ouse will remain high. Minor flood impacts could affect Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Fields, rural roads, gardens and isolated properties could be affected. Water levels will be close to the tops of the banks of Denton Island, Newhaven. The water level will also be similar from 13:00 Thursday 12/3/2020, but maybe 10cm higher. Flood risk should reduce from the weekend. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding and install flood protection products before high tide, if you have them. This message will be updated by 09:30 12/03/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 11 Mar 2020 08:20
Ouse
Wednesday's tide at 12:15 on 11/03/2020 in Newhaven is forecast to be 7.49 metres Chart Datum (3.97 mAOD), which is 5cm higher than that of Tuesday night. For 3 hours after high tide (between 12:15 and 15:15 11/3/2020), water levels in the Lower Ouse will remain high. Minor flood impacts could affect Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Fields, rural roads, gardens and isolated properties could be affected. Water levels will be close to the tops of the banks of Denton Island, Newhaven. The water level will be very similar from 13:00 Thursday 12/3/2020, but slightly lower Wednesday evening. Similar flood impacts should be expected until the end of the week, with flood risk reducing from Friday. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding and install flood protection products before high tide, if you have them. This message will be updated by 16:30 11/03/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 10 Mar 2020 13:14
Ouse
Wednesday's early morning tide at 00:00 on 11/03/2020 in Newhaven is forecast to be 7.32 metres Chart Datum (3.80 mAOD), which is 30cm higher than that of Tuesday lunchtime (10/3/2020). For 3 hours after high tide (between 00:00 and 03:00 11/3/2020), water levels in the Lower Ouse will remain high. Minor flood impacts could affect Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Fields, rural roads, gardens and isolated properties could be affected. Water levels will be close to the tops of the banks of Denton Island, Newhaven. The water level will be very similar from 12:30 11/3/2020, and following each high tide until Friday 13/3/2020. Similar flood impacts should be expected until the end of the week. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding and install flood protection products before high tide, if you have them. This message will be updated by 09:30 11/03/2020
Flood Alert issued on 16 Feb 2020 20:57
Ouse
Storm Dennis has brought 50mm of rain so far, with a further 1 to 2 mm possible by 06:00 17/02/2020. Flooding is affecting Barcombe Mills, and minor flood impacts may affect fields, gardens, roads and approach properties in Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. No further significant rain is expected in the coming week, with only isolated showers, so river levels should begin to fall by Tuesday 18/02/2020. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding suggested in this message. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 20:00 on 17/2/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 15 Feb 2020 15:07
Ouse
Storm Dennis' heavy rain will not affect the Lower Ouse until Sunday afternoon 16/2/2020. Accurate predictions so far ahead are hard, but because tide levels are falling, minor flood impacts appear unlikely, until the early hours of Monday 17/2/2020 at the earliest. At this time, minor flood impacts may affect fields, gardens and roads. Floods could approach properties in Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey; Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes; and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Rain will ease Sunday afternoon. With only isolated showers through to midweek, river levels should begin to fall by Tuesday 18/2/2020. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding suggested in this message. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 20:00 16/2/2020
Flood Alert issued on 14 Feb 2020 11:54
Ouse
The flow has now peaked on the upper Ouse at Barcombe, and tide levels at Newhaven will fall until the middle of next week. Water levels over the next three high tide periods along the lower Ouse (between 14:45 and 16:45 14/2/2020, between 03:15 and 05:15 15/2/2020, and between 15:45 and 17:45 15/2/2020) are expected to be lower than experienced on Thursday night. Only minor flood impacts are expected to affect fields, rural roads, gardens and isolated properties in Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Storm Dennis is expected to bring widespread heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday. River levels and flood risk may be greater than seen in Storm Ciara. Please be prepared for flood risk to increase again on Sunday 16/2/2020. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 19:00 on 15/2/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 13 Feb 2020 22:14
Ouse
The upper Ouse at Barcombe is still very high following 30mm of rain Thursday morning 13/2/2020. In combination with the high tide, minor flood impacts could occur on the lower Ouse between 02:30 and 06:00 14/02/2020. Minor flood impacts could affect Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Fields, rural roads, gardens and isolated properties could be affected. Thursday and Friday should be mostly dry, which will allow flows on the upper Ouse to reduce. Tide levels will also fall over the coming days, so peak water levels should be lower over subsequent high tides. However, Storm Dennis is expected to bring widespread heavy rain Saturday and Sunday 16/2/2020. Please be prepared for flood risk to increase again Sunday. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. We will update this message by 13:00 14/2/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 10 Feb 2020 17:08
Ouse
The Lower Ouse is predicted to rise Monday night, as a result of a high tide at Newhaven, and to a similar height as seen Monday afternoon. Between 00:30 and 04:30 11/2/2020, minor flood impacts could affect Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Fields, rural roads, gardens and isolated properties could be affected. Water levels will be close to the tops of the banks of Denton Island, Newhaven. Subsequent tides should be slightly lower, and with less flow from the Upper Ouse the flood risk should reduce, but not by much. And with further rain forecast for Thursday, flood risk could soon return. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding and install flood protection products before high tide, if you have them. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. This message will be updated by 12:00 11/2/2020.
Flood Alert issued on 10 Feb 2020 07:23
Ouse
The Lower Ouse is predicted to rise today, as a result of Sunday’s rain and a high tide at Newhaven. Between 12:00 and 16:00 10/2/2020, minor flood impacts could affect Whitfield and Ivor’s Lanes in Hamsey, Railway Lane and near Malling Deanery, Lewes and near St John’s Church Piddinghoe. Fields, rural roads, gardens and isolated properties could be affected. Water levels will be close to the tops of the banks of Denton Island, Newhaven. Monday night’s tide (10/2/2020) will be of similar height and similar impacts could be experienced again. Tuesday night’s tide is also predicted to be high, but despite isolated showers remaining possible until Wednesday, flows from the Upper Ouse and flood risk should reduce from Tuesday 11/2/2020. Please plan to avoid driving through routes vulnerable to flooding and install flood protection products before high tide, if you have them. We continue to monitor the levels and forecast. This message will be updated by 18:00 10/2/2020.