Does the Strategic Flood Map take into account knowledge from previous floods?
Within the Strategic Flood Map there is a ‘Historical’ flood map layer which highlights the areas that have been inundated during actual flood events in the past. This map was generated using data that was collected by Rivers Agency at the time of the flood event and from aerial photographs. Although this information is useful insofar as it can serve as a reminder that the risk of flooding is very real, it does not of itself provide much guidance as to the likelihood of flooding now or in the future. The likelihood of flooding can only be established, with any degree of confidence using predictive modelling techniques similar to those used to determine the extent of the flood plains in the Present Day and Climate Change map layers.
