THE Environment Agency says it is still investigating whether the ‘partial activation’ of its Monktonmead flood defence scheme contributed to the devastating flooding which tore through Ryde homes and left residents counting the costs.

A question mark still hangs over whether a different response from the EA could have mitigated the damage.

In the early hours of Wednesday, October 25, Ryde suffered the heaviest rainfall recorded since 1949.

The Environment Agency’s £5 million flood defence scheme, installed at Simeon Rec in 2018, was supposed to reduce the risk of flooding in the area.

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But in the wake of the devastation, which saw the defences breached and more than 100 properties flooded, the EA came under scrutiny.

Cllr Phil Jordan said failure to close the Simeon Park gates in good time added to the problem of flooding in and around the Strand and Monktonmead, and a review into the processes would be launched.

“Our sympathies go out to those who have experienced the devastating impact of having their homes and businesses flooded,” said a spokesperson for the EA.

“Our initial review of the flooding found that in the early hours of Wednesday, October 25, Ryde suffered the heaviest rainfall recorded since 1949.

“Sixty millimetres of rain fell in just three hours; two thirds of a monthly average and double the amount which was forecast.

“This resulted in both significant flows of surface water and rapid increases in the water level at Monktonmead Brook.

“We partially activated the Monktonmead Flood Alleviation Scheme based upon forecasts.

“However, we are continuing with a detailed investigation into whether fully activating the flood alleviation scheme would have reduced the flooding at Ryde, given the combination of significant surface water outside the scheme and rapidly rising flood water levels within the scheme.

“We ask people to keep checking their flood-risk, sign up-for free flood alerts and warnings and keep up-to-date with the latest situation at  www.gov.uk/flood.

“Call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgencySE on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest updates.”