Suffolk residents urged to check flood risk and prepare ahead of winter

Suffolk residents are also encouraged to make themselves aware of their responsibilities on their property, and the things that they can do to reduce the impacts of flooding.

As climate change brings more frequent periods of intense rainfall, flooding is becoming an increasing risk across the country, as many Suffolk communities experienced during Storm Babet in October 2023.

The Environment Agency says:

“6.3 million properties in England sit in areas at risk of flooding. And as our climate keeps changing, that risk keeps growing. Between April 2025 and March 2026 alone, we issued over 3,400 flood alerts, around 1,000 flood warnings, and 3 severe flood warnings.”

Suffolk County Council continues to support communities through its role as Lead Local Flood Authority. Alongside Suffolk Highways' programme of maintaining more than 150,000 highway gullies, the council is securing funding and delivering projects that help reduce the impact of flooding on residents, businesses and critical infrastructure.

This includes natural flood management schemes, developed with farmers and landowners, that slow the flow of water through the landscape and reduce flood risk for downstream communities – for example a number of recent projects are underway in Debenham, which felt the impact of Storm Babet.

Suffolk County Council, in partnership with Norfolk County Council, has also pioneered the Reclaim The Rain project - testing new ways of managing and harnessing water in small rural locations, including projects with Boxford Village Hall and Little Blakenham Village Hall.

Councillor Morgan Brobyn, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Food, Waste and Rural Affairs, said:

“Flooding can have a devastating impact on homes, businesses and communities, which is why being prepared is so important.

“While Suffolk County Council continues to invest in projects that help reduce flood risk, there are also practical steps that residents can take themselves, from understanding their flood risk to maintaining watercourses on their land.

“Many people may not realise they are responsible for a ditch, stream or other watercourse on their property. Keeping these clear helps water flow as intended and can reduce the risk of flooding both for themselves and their neighbours.

“Increasingly intense rainfall can sometimes lead to flooding even where drainage systems and gullies are working as intended, which is why we need a combination of local action and flood resilience measures to help communities adapt.

“Flood Action Week is a good opportunity to check what support and information is available and make sure you're prepared ahead of the winter months.”

There are a number of resources available online:

• Maintenance of ditches and other watercourses - responsibility often lies with the landowner
• Highway drainage in Suffolk - find out when gullies near you are due to be attended
• Flood Smart Living Handbook – advice, guidance and measures you can take to reduce the risk of flooding
• Flood risk checker – find out if your property is at risk of flooding using the Environment Agency national mapping
• Report a flood in Suffolk - how to report a flood problem and what will happen after you've reported the problem

For more advice and information for Suffolk, search for “flooding” on www.suffolk.gov.uk

Follow the Environment Agency on Facebook for more about flooding during Flood Action Week www.facebook.com/environmentagency