An Overview of the Strategic Flood Map
The Strategic Flood Map illustrates the areas throughout Northern Ireland that have flooded from rivers and the sea in the past and those which are estimated to be prone to flooding now and in the future. It also provides additional information on the location of existing flood defences and highlights the areas that benefit from these defences. The Strategic Flood map has been developed to indicate if a general area may be affected by flooding in the absence of existing flood defences. And has been produced by Rivers Agency using a broadly similar methodology to that which has been applied by other flood authorities across the rest of the United Kingdom in the production of their strategic maps.
However, due to the inherent uncertainties in the flood modelling techniques and data used to produce this national snapshot of our flood prone areas, it is not sufficiently accurate to determine the flood risk to individual properties or specific point locations. It is also important to note that the map does not illustrate flooding from other notable sources such as surface water and overflowing sewers.
The primary aim of the Strategic Flood Map which has been developed by Rivers Agency is to provide a strategic overview of the flood risk in Northern Ireland. The provision of this information to Government Departments, local authorities and other organisations will support a more proactive and co-operative approach to flood risk management. By being aware of the land estimated to be at risk of flooding, and commissioning more detailed flood risk assessments as appropriate, authorities can develop strategies to better manage flood risk through their planning, flood prevention, and emergency planning functions.
In regard to land-use planning, the Strategic Flood Map is supportive of Government’s commitment to sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity. The map has been developed in co-operation with the Department of Environment to meet the requirements of its Planning Policy Statement 15 (PPS 15) - Planning and Flood Risk. PPS 15 sets out the Department’s planning policies to minimise flood risk to people, property and the environment. PPS 15 adopts a precautionary approach to development decisions which takes account of climate change and is supportive of the well being and safety of people.
By making the Strategic Flood Map widely available through the use of its website, Rivers Agency is also seeking to raise public awareness of flood risk and to encourage people living and working in areas prone to flooding to find out more and take appropriate action.
