Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 states that:

  1. On becoming aware of a flood in its area, a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) must, to the extent that it considers necessary or appropriate, investigate;
    • Which risk management authorities have relevant flood risk management functions, and
    • Whether each of those risk management authorities has exercised, or is proposing to exercise, those functions in response to the flood
  2. Where an authority carried out an investigation under subsection (1) it must -
    • Publish the results of its investigation, and
    • Notify any relevant risk management authorities
NB.  The term "flood" includes any case where land not normally covered by water becomes covered by water (from natural sources).  It does not include flooding from a burst water main or any part of the sewage network (unless caused by the volume of rainwater entering the system).

The County is developing its flood investigations policy.  This will be focusing on the risk and interpretation of the "necessary or appropriate" wording.  The likelihood is that internal flooding of 1 or more properties will trigger the need to investigate.  This would be consistent with the other LLFA's in the North West.

Cumbria has been hit by serious flooding on a number of occasions in recent history.  An analysis of the impact of flooding on the county was carried out post the 2009 flooding. 

  • Flood Investigation Criteria 

  •  Where there is ambiguity surrounding the source or responsibility of flood incident

  • Internal flooding of one property that has experienced on more than one occasion

  • Internal flooding of five properties has experienced during one single flood incident

  • There is a risk to life as a result of flooding