Flood investigation reports

As a lead local flood authority we have a responsibility to investigate and publish reports on major flooding events.

Section 19s

As the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), Suffolk County Council has a duty under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to investigate significant flooding events. In Suffolk, the LLFA will investigate if one or more of the following criteria are met:

  • Internal flooding of one property (domestic or business) on more than one occasion
  • Internal flooding to five or more properties in a specific location
  • Major transport route closed for more than 10 hours.

These reports highlight the probable causes of flooding, identify options to reduce future flood risk and increase property resilience; and make recommendations for actions by relevant responsible organisations, landowners or homeowners.

Flood investigation reports may include recommendations, but they do not place a legal duty on other organisations to take action.

Read or download the Flood Investigation Guidance and template.

What is a Section 19 report?

A significant flood occurs, after which the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) will carry out a flood investigation as required by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

  1. Details are collected of the flood event.

  2. The authorities and land owners involved are identified. 

  3. The LLFA suggest actions to help reduce future risk.

  4. A report on the flood is published.

The LFAA investigates and makes recommendations, but findings do not automatically require action by other organisations.

How to use these reports: 

  • Understand what caused flooding in a specific area.
  • Identify which organisations have flood risk management responsibilities.
  • Inform community flood planning and resilience measures.
  • Support future flood risk management projects.

Flood smart living

We have produced a guide to support local communities at risk of flooding. It provides a range of measures that could be implemented, targeted at your catchment, your community and your home, providing useful advice and guidance to enable you to take the next step in becoming resilient to flooding. We recommend the guide to be read alongside the S19 Flood Investigations. You can read this information in the Flood Smart Living Handbook.

Read the results of any flood investigations that we have completed:

Kirkley Stream

As part of our ongoing efforts to alleviate the flooding problem on the Kirkley Stream in Lowestoft, and also as an outcome of the Velda Close and Aldwyck Way section 19 investigation, we periodically release reports on progress and updates.

These are not section 19 investigation reports, but you can view them below: