Is East Sussex at risk of flooding?

East Sussex has 64 designated flood areas monitored by the Environment Agency, giving it a High risk rating. It ranks #34 out of 152 English counties for flood risk.

How many flood warning areas are in East Sussex?

There are 64 flood warning and alert areas in East Sussex, monitored by 0 Environment Agency stations across 26 rivers.

Which rivers flood in East Sussex?

The main rivers in East Sussex include Adur, Combe Haven, Cuckmere River, Cuckmere River, Bull River, English Channel and 21 others. These rivers have monitoring stations tracking water levels in real time.

Do I need flood insurance in East Sussex?

If your property is in or near one of East Sussex's 64 flood areas, flood insurance is strongly recommended. The government's Flood Re scheme helps make flood insurance affordable for at-risk properties.

How can I check flood risk for my postcode?

Use the Environment Agency's flood risk checker or our postcode lookup tool to check the flood risk for your specific address. You can also browse East Sussex's flood areas on this page.

What was the worst flood in East Sussex?

East Sussex has experienced significant flooding events over the years. Check the Environment Agency's historical flood data and our UK Flood History guide for details on major events.

Flood Risk in East Sussex

South East

Flood Areas

Stations

Rivers

Risk Level

High

#34 of 152 counties

Flood Areas in East Sussex

64 designated flood warning and alert areas

Name	River / Sea	Type
Southern and Southwestern sides of Olives Meadow Road in Uckfield	River Uck	Warning
River Uck and the Framfield, Ridgewood and Tickerage Streams	Uck	Alert
Coastal areas of Bulverhythe including areas between the Railway track and Bexhill Road and West Marina Gardens	English Channel	Alert
Kidbrooke Stream flood area near East Sussex	Kidbrooke Stream	Warning
Powdermill Stream at Crowhurst from the Post Office to the Recreation Ground South of Sandrock Hill Road	Powdermill Stream, Combe Haven	Warning
Combe Haven, Powdermill and Watermill streams	Combe Haven	Alert
Sussex River Ouse flood area near East Sussex	Sussex River Ouse	Warning
Lower Ouse and tributaries from Barcombe Mills to Newhaven	Ouse	Alert
Areas of Eastbourne at risk from a high tide including areas of Roselands, Willingdon Levels, areas near Shinewater Lake, West Langley Levels and S...	English Channel	Alert
Coastal areas of Bexhill including West Parade, Egerton Park and De La Warr Parade	English Channel	Warning
Coastal areas of Bexhill including West Parade, Egerton Park and De La Warr Parade	English Channel	Alert
Sussex River Ouse from Freshfield Bridge to Sharpsbridge including Sheffield Park Station and Fletching Mill	Sussex River Ouse	Warning
Upper Ouse and tributaries from Slaugham to Barcombe Mills	River Ouse	Alert
English Channel flood area near East Sussex	English Channel	Alert
Willingdon, Eastbourne and Mountney Levels and their tributaries	Langney Haven	Alert
Etchingham, including areas along the railway east and south of the village	River Rother	Warning
River Uck, at Buxted, between Parsonage Wood and Hempstead Mill, including the Old Mill area	River Uck	Warning
Areas of Pevensey at risk from a high tide including the Crumbles, East Langley Levels, Mountney Bridge, Pevensey Bay, Pevensey, Manxey, Horse Eye ...	English Channel	Warning
Areas of Pevensey at risk from a high tide including the Crumbles, East Langley Levels, Mountney Bridge, Pevensey Bay, Pevensey, Manxey, Horse Eye ...	English Channel	Alert
Sussex River Ouse flood area near East Sussex	Sussex River Ouse	Warning
Winchelsea, Winchelsea Beach and Pett Level to Cliff End	South Coast	Warning
Coastal areas of Seaford seafront including The Esplanade, areas behind and near the Martello Tower, Buckle Caravan and Camping Park and Salts Recr...	English Channel	Warning
Coastal areas of Seaford seafront including The Esplanade, areas behind and near the Martello Tower, Buckle Caravan and Camping Park and Salts Recr...	English Channel	Alert
Sussex River Ouse flood area near East Sussex	Sussex River Ouse	Warning
Tidal areas of the Cuckmere valley from Cuckmere Haven to the A27 including Alfriston	English Channel	Alert
Kings Avenue Estate and Rock Channel riverside properties, Rye	River Rother	Warning
Coastal areas of Bulverhythe including areas between the Railway track and Bexhill Road and West Marina Gardens	English Channel	Warning
Coastal areas of Hastings between White Rock and Rock-a-Nore Road	English Channel	Alert
Combe Haven at Bulverhythe including Bulverhythe Road and Bexhill Road at Sheepwash Bridge	Combe Haven	Warning
Cuckmere River and Bull River at Hellingly and Horsebridge including Mill Lane, Station Road and the A271 at Lower Horsebridge	Cuckmere River, Bull River	Warning
Cuckmere River and tributaries from Vines Cross to Exceat Bridge	Cuckmere River	Alert
English Channel flood area near East Sussex	English Channel	Alert
Sedlescombe and Winchelsea properties adjacent to the Brede, including parts of the Royal Military Road, Station Road and Winchelsea Lane	River Brede	Warning
River Tillingham, and its tributaries, from Beckley Furnace to Rye, including the Tilling Green Estate to the Railway line and the River Brede, and...	Tillingham, Brede	Alert
River Uck and confluence with the River Ouse including Isfield Mill and White Bridge	River Uck, Sussex River Ouse	Warning
Coastal areas of Eastbourne including Marine Parade, Royal Parade, Sovereign Park and the Martello Tower	English Channel	Warning
Coastal areas of Eastbourne including Marine Parade, Royal Parade, Sovereign Park and the Martello Tower	English Channel	Alert
Robertsbridge to Bodiam, including areas along the River Rother	River Rother	Warning
River Uck flood area near East Sussex	River Uck	Warning
Winterbourne Stream in the Southover area of Lewes	Winterbourne Stream	Alert
Areas of Seaford at risk from a high tide including Buckle Close, Beach Close, Dane Close and Steyne Road	English Channel	Warning
Areas of Seaford at risk from a high tide including Buckle Close, Beach Close, Dane Close and Steyne Road	English Channel	Alert
Coastal areas of Hastings between White Rock and Rock-a-Nore Road	English Channel	Warning
Sussex River Ouse flood area near East Sussex	Sussex River Ouse	Warning
Rye Town, Rye Harbour and Harbour Road and East Guldeford	River Rother	Warning
Langney Haven at Langney, Willingdon and Eastbourne including Shinewater Park	Langney Haven	Warning
Rye properties along the Tillingham, upstream of Winchelsea Road	River Tillingham	Warning
English Channel flood area near East Sussex	English Channel	Warning
Winterbourne Stream in the Southover area of Lewes from the railway embankment at Winterbourne Close to Lewes Station on Station Road	Winterbourne Stream	Warning
Hollington Stream from Hollington Old Lane to Harley Shute including Coventry Road and Stonehouse Drive	Hollington Stream	Warning
Hollington Stream from Hollington Old Lane to Harley Shute including Coventry Road and Stonehouse Drive	Hollington Stream	Alert
Cuckmere River at Alfriston from Shermans Bridge to Deans Place Hotel including Milton Lock and Long Bridge	Cuckmere River	Warning
New Winchelsea Road, upstream of Harbour Road Rye	River Brede	Warning
Sussex River Ouse at Barcombe Mills, including the Anchor Gates	Sussex River Ouse	Warning
Areas of Eastbourne at risk from a high tide including areas of Roselands, Willingdon Levels, areas near Shinewater Lake, West Langley Levels and S...	English Channel	Warning
English Channel flood area near East Sussex	English Channel	Warning
Denge Marsh, including Coastguard Cottages and Midrips Cottages, East of Jury's Gap	English Channel, South Coast	Warning
The River Adur and tributaries from Burgess Hill to Henfield	Adur	Alert
St Helen's Wood Stream flood area near East Sussex	St Helen's Wood Stream	Warning
St Helen's Wood Stream flood area near East Sussex	St Helen's Wood Stream	Alert
Polegate Street and Wannock Mill Streams through Polegate and Wannock	Polegate Street Stream, Wannock Mill Stream	Warning
Polegate Brook Street and Wannock Mill Streams	Polegate Brook Street Stream, Wannock Mill Stream	Alert
Marsham Sewer at Pett Level including properties adjacent to Chick Hill Road, Marsham Brook Lane and Pett Level Road		Warning
Areas at risk of groundwater flooding in Denton including Denton Road, Vicarage Close, and South Heighton.	Groundwater	Alert

Monitoring Stations

0 Environment Agency monitoring stations

Rivers in East Sussex

AdurCombe HavenCuckmere RiverCuckmere River, Bull RiverEnglish ChannelEnglish Channel, South CoastGroundwaterHollington StreamKidbrooke StreamLangney HavenOusePolegate Brook Street Stream, Wannock Mill StreamPolegate Street Stream, Wannock Mill StreamPowdermill Stream, Combe HavenRiver BredeRiver OuseRiver RotherRiver TillinghamRiver UckRiver Uck, Sussex River OuseSouth CoastSt Helen's Wood StreamSussex River OuseTillingham, BredeUckWinterbourne Stream

Flood Insurance Warning for East Sussex

East Sussex has 64 designated flood areas and a high flood risk rating. If you live in this area, check your buildings and contents insurance covers flood damage. Homes in high-risk areas may face higher premiums or require specialist cover.

Flood Insurance Guide →Planning & Flood Risk →