Is West Sussex at risk of flooding?

West Sussex has 70 designated flood areas monitored by the Environment Agency, giving it a High risk rating. It ranks #29 out of 152 English counties for flood risk.

How many flood warning areas are in West Sussex?

There are 70 flood warning and alert areas in West Sussex, monitored by 0 Environment Agency stations across 27 rivers.

Which rivers flood in West Sussex?

The main rivers in West Sussex include Adur, Aldingbourne Rife, Aldingbourne and Barnham Rifes, Aldingbourne and Lidsey Rifes, Arun and 22 others. These rivers have monitoring stations tracking water levels in real time.

Do I need flood insurance in West Sussex?

If your property is in or near one of West Sussex's 70 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 West Sussex's flood areas on this page.

What was the worst flood in West Sussex?

West 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 West Sussex

South East

Flood Areas

Stations

Rivers

Risk Level

High

#29 of 152 counties

Flood Areas in West Sussex

70 designated flood warning and alert areas

Name	River / Sea	Type
The River Lavant within Chichester City Centre, including Whyke, the A285, A286, and Chichester College	River Lavant	Warning
The River Lavant from Mid Lavant to Shopwhyke including Chichester	River Lavant	Alert
English Channel flood area near West Sussex	English Channel	Alert
English Channel flood area near West Sussex	English Channel	Warning
Coastal areas between Selsey Bill and Elmer, including Pagham, Sidlesham and Bognor	English Channel	Alert
Coastal areas of Climping	English Channel	Alert
The River Arun at Amberley, including Bury, Houghton Bridge, and South Stoke	River Arun	Warning
The Rivers Arun, Chilt, Stor and Tortington Stream	Arun	Alert
Scrase Bridge Stream & West Common Stream at Haywards Heath and Lindfield	Scrase Bridge Stream, West Common Stream	Alert
Ferring Rife from the A259 at Northbrook College to Ferring Beach	Ferring Rife	Alert
Bosham Stream from West Ashling to Bosham including Churchfield Stream	Bosham Stream	Alert
Communities at risk of groundwater flooding to the north of Chichester, including West Dean, Singleton, Charlton, East Dean and Chilgrove	Groundwater	Alert
Elbridge, Lidsey, Aldingbourne, Barnham, Yapton and Ryebank Rifes	Aldingbourne and Barnham Rifes	Alert
Tidal areas of Littlehampton Ropewalk	Littlehampton Harbour	Warning
Rope Walk, Ferry and Bridge Road on the west banks of the lower tidal River Arun at Littlehampton	Littlehampton Harbour	Alert
The River Lavant at Mid Lavant and East Lavant	River Lavant	Warning
Coastal areas of Rustington to Shoreham fort including Ferring, Worthing, Lancing and Shoreham Beach	English Channel	Alert
The Solent, English Channel flood area near West Sussex	The Solent, English Channel	Alert
Beach front areas of Shoreham Beach	English Channel	Warning
The Black Ditch along River Road in Angmering	Black Ditch	Warning
The Black Ditch through Angmering, Lyminster and Wick	Black Ditch	Alert
River Arun flood area near West Sussex	River Arun	Warning
Coastal areas of Bosham and West Itchenor, including Chidham, Broadbridge, and Bosham Hoe	Chichester Harbour	Warning
Chichester Harbour flood area near West Sussex	Chichester Harbour	Alert
Coastal areas of Pagham	English Channel	Warning
The West Sussex River Rother at Fittleworth	West Sussex River Rother	Warning
Scrase Bridge Stream at Lindfield including the West Common Stream	Scrase Bridge Stream, West Common Stream	Warning
The Lower Adur and tributaries from Henfield to Shoreham-by-Sea	Adur	Alert
Ifield Brook and the River Mole at Ifield and the River Mole at Lowfield Heath including Gatwick Airport, West Sussex	Ifield Brook, River Mole	Warning
The River Adur at Upper Beeding and Bramber, including Newbrook Farm, and Beeding Manor	Adur	Warning
Tidal areas of Shoreham Harbour including Brighton Road, houseboats, Shoreham Harbour and areas north of the A27	English Channel	Warning
Tidal areas of Shoreham Harbour including Brighton Road, houseboats, Shoreham Harbour and areas north of the A27	English Channel	Alert
Tidal areas of Littlehampton East Bank from the East pier to the A259	Littlehampton Harbour	Alert
The River Arun at Arundel, including Warningcamp, and Burpham	River Arun	Warning
Aldingbourne Rife flood area near West Sussex	Aldingbourne Rife	Warning
Chichester Harbour, The Solent, English Channel flood area near West Sussex	Chichester Harbour, The Solent, English Channel	Warning
Bosham Stream flood area near West Sussex	Bosham Stream	Warning
Tidal areas of Littlehampton East Bank including Caffyn's Field, and Riverside Industrial Estate	Littlehampton Harbour	Warning
The River Adur West Branch and tributaries from Coolham to Bines Green	Adur	Alert
Coastal areas of Bognor, including Felpham, South Bersted, North Bersted and Shripney	English Channel	Warning
River Lavant flood area near West Sussex	River Lavant	Warning
The Black Ditch and Eels Springs Ditch at Lyminster and Wick, including Thornlea park and Falcon Gardens	Black Ditch	Warning
The River Arun at Pulborough, including Greatham Bridge	River Arun	Warning
Barnham Rife flood area near West Sussex	Barnham Rife	Warning
Ferring Rife flood area near West Sussex	Ferring Rife	Warning
Coastal areas of Sidlesham	English Channel	Warning
Coastal areas of Rustington, Ferring, Worthing and Lancing	English Channel	Warning
Sussex River Ouse at Lindfield Bridge including Pims Lock	Sussex River Ouse	Warning
Gatwick Stream at Maidenbower and Crawley including Tinsley Green, West Sussex	Gatwick Stream	Warning
Coastal areas of Medmerry beach, including the West Sands caravan park	The Solent, English Channel	Warning
English Channel flood area near West Sussex	English Channel	Warning
The River Arun at Ford and Climping	River Arun	Warning
Aldingbourne and Lidsey Rifes flood area near West Sussex	Aldingbourne and Lidsey Rifes	Warning
River Arun flood area near West Sussex	River Arun	Warning
The Solent, English Channel flood area near West Sussex	The Solent, English Channel	Warning
Coastal areas of Climping, including Poole Place	English Channel	Warning
The West Sussex River Rother from Lodsbridge to Shopham Bridge, including Lodsbridge at Selham, Coultershaw Bridge, and Shopham Bridge	West Sussex River Rother	Warning
Sussex River Ouse and tributaries from Slaugham to Ardingly including the Shell Brook	Sussex River Ouse	Warning
The River Adur West Branch, at Coolham and Shipley	Adur	Warning
Coastal areas of Elmer	English Channel	Warning
Coastal areas of Thorney Island, Southbourne and Nutbourne	Chichester Harbour	Warning
River Road, Arundel, near Tarrant Wharf and Arun Street	River Arun	Warning
River Road, Arundel, near Tarrant Wharf and Arun Street	River Arun	Alert
Mock Bridge to Betley Bridge, near Shermanbury on the River Adur	River Adur	Warning
Tilgate Brook at Tilgate and Furnace Green	Tilgate Brook	Warning
South Pond, South Street and The Wharf, Midhurst	Western Rother	Warning
Areas at risk of groundwater flooding in in East Dean, Charlton, Singleton, West Dean and Chilgrove	Groundwater	Warning
Boldings Brook flood area near West Sussex	Boldings Brook	Warning
Areas at risk of groundwater flooding on the upper River Ems, including Stoughton, Walderton and Walderton Bridge	Groundwater	Warning
Areas at risk of groundwater flooding on the upper River Ems at Compton, West Marden, Stoughton, Walderton and Racton	Groundwater	Alert

Monitoring Stations

0 Environment Agency monitoring stations

Rivers in West Sussex

AdurAldingbourne RifeAldingbourne and Barnham RifesAldingbourne and Lidsey RifesArunBarnham RifeBlack DitchBoldings BrookBosham StreamBosham StreamChichester HarbourChichester Harbour, The Solent, English ChannelEnglish ChannelFerring RifeGatwick StreamGroundwaterIfield Brook, River MoleLittlehampton HarbourRiver AdurRiver ArunRiver LavantScrase Bridge Stream, West Common StreamSussex River OuseThe Solent, English ChannelTilgate BrookWest Sussex River RotherWestern Rother

Flood Insurance Warning for West Sussex

West Sussex has 70 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 →