/ Our ref: NWX/CSC/31175
Your ref: 101011/CL14
Date: 25 October 2010
Dear Mr Lawrence
Information request – Flood Risk Category change: land lying to the north west of Withies Lane, Midsomer Norton
Thank you for your enquiry of 11 October 2010. We are happy to provide the following information:
In 2008 we produced new floodplain outlines as a result of a project to improve the modelling of the River Somer, which is now the best available flood risk information for the above location.
Our 2008 model used better ground survey data, the latest hydrological methods, additional gauged data from flow recorders at Welton and Midsomer Norton, and was compared and checked (calibrated and verified) against the flood event there in January 2008.
Please find a copy of our Flood Map (dated 10/08/10) enclosed that shows the latest floodplain outlines or “Flood Zones”. Flood zones divide the floodplain into3 areas/“zones” that represent different levels of flood risk. They represent the natural floodplain and do not take into account the presence of flood defences. The zones are shown as shaded areas on a map and are used by the local planning authorities when considering planning applications. Further information on our Flood Map and Zones is available on our website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Zone 1 - is un-shadedand shows areas with the lowest probability of flooding from rivers and the sea, where the chance of flooding in any one year is less than 0.1% (i.e. a 1000 to 1 chance).
Zone 2 - is shadedlight blueand shows the area between zone 1 and zone 3. This represents an area with the chance of flooding in any one year between 0.1% and 1% fluvial or 0.5% tidal (i.e. between a 1000 to 1 and a 100 to 1 fluvial or 200 to 1 tidal chance). The outer edge of this zone is referred to as the 'Extreme Flood Outline' (EFO).
Zone 3 - is shaded dark blue and shows areas with the highest probability of flooding. The chance of flooding in any one year is greater than or equal to 1% (i.e. a 100 to 1 chance) for river flooding (and greater or equal to 0.5% (i.e. a 200 to 1 chance) for coastal and tidal flooding).
We hope you find this information helpful and it is provided subject to the notice overleaf, which we strongly recommend you read.
Yours sincerely
NATASHA TURNER
External Relations Officer
Enc: Standard Notice, Non-commercial
Flood Map for Midsomer Norton
The Environment Agency
Rivers House, East Quay, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4YS
Tel: 08708 506506 Fax: 01278 452985 DX 135476 Bridgwater 3
Email:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
The Environment Agency
Rivers House, East Quay, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4YS
Tel: 08708 506506 Fax: 01278 452985 DX 135476 Bridgwater 3
Email:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk