The sea level is likely to be “about a metre higher” in around 80 years’ time, the Environment Agency (EA) has told the Isle of Wight Council.
Flooding in Ryde in 2023 followed an “exceptional rainfall event”, but there will be “ever-increasing pressures” on defences amid climate change impacts, the EA’s John O’Flynn said at County Hall last Thursday (23rd October 2025).
Shifting weather patterns
The EA operations manager responded to concerns over shifting weather patterns voiced by Environment and Community Protection Committee (ECPC) vice-chair Councillor Ed Blake during a discussion on the ‘devastating’ flooding two years ago.
Over 100 properties were flooded in Ryde’s Monktonmead area on 25th October following Storm Babet.
Blake: “Heavier” and “more localised” downpours
Addressing Mr O’Flynn, Councillor Blake said climate change was creating “heavier” and “more localised” downpours.
The Conservative group leader expressed disquiet over the “level of climate change that we are seeing”. He said,
“A big factor in flooding, particularly in the Ryde area, is the tidal conditions. On that day, there were not exceptional tidal conditions at all – in fact very much far from it.
“The bulk of the rain actually came at low tide when the tide gave the opportunity for as maximum amount of water as possible to vacate the area.
“And the fact that this wasn’t a tidal storm…is more worrying because it shows this isn’t an exceptional circumstance at all. This is quite a commonplace, potentially, set of circumstances.
“Are you as an Environment Agency more aware of the fact that this isn’t an exceptional circumstance and if things aren’t handled better in the future, this incident will happen repeatedly?”
O’Flynn: More rain than you’ve seen on the Isle of Wight for over 75 years
Mr O’Flynn answered,
“I do disagree that it wasn’t exceptional. The rainfall that we had on the evening of the 24th…was more rain than you’ve seen on the Isle of Wight for over 75 years. It genuinely was an exceptional event.
“In terms of climate change and the ever-increasing pressure on defences, you’re absolutely right. That is something we are very aware of, but we try to incorporate climate change impacts.
“For tidal schemes we recognise that in probably about 80 years…the expectation is the sea level will be about a metre higher. So, we incorporate that into designs.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
