Periods of heavy rainfall in Summer

Periods of intense rainfall, such as summer thunderstorms, can give rise to surcharging of sewers; heavy runoff of water from slopes; surface water flooding of low lying areas; and backing up of stream culverts, ditches and gullies.

If your property is liable to these sorts of problems some simple precautions may assist:

• Ensure all gullies, watercourses, ditches etc in the vicinity of your property are kept clear of all obstructions
• If necessary keep a small quantity of sandbags available to protect doorways, entrances and air bricks etc
• Ensure any valuables or electrical equipment are kept out of harms way.

If you do experience a problem and your property floods contact:

• The Fire Brigade if your property requires emergency pumping out
• The East Sussex County Council on 01323 410051 (out of hours) or 01273 813933 (during office hours) if a road gully is blocked or causing a problem, or if the problem is from surface water run off from a highway
• Southern Water on 0845 2780845 if the problem is from a surcharging foul sewer

In an emergency sandbags can be collected from the District Council at 20 North Street, Lewes or the Council Depot, Robinson Road, Newhaven.