The Isle of Wight was hit by some of the worst flooding in recent history on October 25, 2023.

See our gallery of photos from last year above

The combination of relentless rain from Storm Babet and Storm Ciaran resulted in record-breaking rainfall, leaving a trail of devastation across the Island.

Two of the hardest-hit areas were around Lukely Brook in Newport and Monktonmead Brook in Ryde, where homes, businesses and public spaces were submerged by rising waters.

The County Press ran a blog throughout October 25 and 26, bringing Islanders live updates.

A year on, the memories of the damage and disruption are still fresh for many residents, particularly the 317 properties that experienced internal flooding.

In the Monktonmead area alone, around 150 homes were affected, leaving residents displaced and local businesses counting the cost.

Lukely Brook and Sylvan Drive: Homes and cars submerged

In the years leading up to 2023, Sylvan Drive had been identified as a high-risk for surface water, with a flood risk assessment conducted just two years earlier warning of potential dangers from nearby Lukely Brook.

However, nothing could have prepared residents for the reality that unfolded overnight into October 25.

As heavy rain fell, Lukely Brook overflowed, spilling torrents of water onto Sylvan Drive.

By the morning, dramatic scenes were captured – cars submerged in the flooded road, some having been carried away by the force of the water.

Residents work to find their street transformed into a river.

The floodwaters also swept through parts of Newport and Carisbrooke, inundating homes and businesses.

A major clean-up operation began as soon as the water levels receded, but flood alerts remained in place for days.

Monktonmead Brook and Simeon Street: Questions over £5 million flood defences

In Ryde, Monktonmead Brook burst its banks, putting the £5 million food defences in the area under scrutiny.

Despite these flood protections, which were supposed to safeguard the community, the water breached the defences on October 25, leading to widespread damage.

The flooding turned the railway tracks near Monktonmead Brook into a waterway, with Simeon Street Recreation Ground resembling a lake rather than a playing field.

Business owners along Monkton Street were devastated, as flood waters caused extensive damage to their premises, forcing many to close temporarily.

Some called for accountability and compensation, as the failure of the flood defences left them facing enormous losses.

Monktonmead residents shared stories with the County Press of seeking refuge with friends and family, while others had to rely on temporary accommodation through insurance.

In the aftermath of the floods, the IW Council, alongside the Environment Agency, launched investigations into what went wrong.

The ‘section 19 flood investigation reports’ were released in September 2024 and detailed ongoing efforts to review and improve the Monkton Flood Alleviation Scheme, while Sylvan Drive remains an area of concern for future flood risks.