An investigation into last week’s devastating flooding is being launched by the Isle of Wight Council, which will include exploring the actions of both the Environment Agency and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. A Section 19 Flood Investigation under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 will look into the failures which led to homes and businesses flooding, particularly in the Monktonmead area of Ryde. Council Leader, Councillor Phil Jordan, has said that it is ‘obvious’ that the response was inadequate and that ‘failings led to unnecessary damage and disruption’. It has confirmed to Island Echo that the inquiry, which will look to make sure the risk of such problems happening again is minimised, will be carried out ‘as soon as possible’. It is claimed that the Environment Agency’s contractors failed to put the floodgates in place at Simeon Street Rec quickly enough and to the full height – something that will be a key focus of the forthcoming investigation.
Concerns have also been raised about Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s stance on responding to flooding incidents. As first reported by Island Echo, firefighters only went to 3 incidents despite receiving more than 135 calls. The service’s policy is to be explored by the Isle of Wight Council as part of the Section 19 review. The Green Party on the Isle of Wight have called for an investigation to be launched, saying that all the agencies involved ‘must do a lot better’. A spokesperson has said:
“Whilst we fully support the calls for a Section 19 Flood Investigation, it is unmistakable that these are not isolated events – geographically or historically. The Isle of Wight seems ill-prepared to meet the scale of the weather crises which face us as the climate changes, and we must ramp up our management of these flooding events to protect property, life, infrastructure and our landscape.”
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In East Cowes, Southern Water is to carry out its own investigation into why vital pumps failed to activate – which 1 councillor says could have saved homes and businesses from flooding. While the water levels were still rising, Councillor Karl Love was trying to get emergency services to switch on the storm pumps around the Well Road roundabout as traffic continued to drive through the water with each wave entering people’s homes. 
He said:
“I am more than a bit dismayed the town’s flood pumps were not switched on and working. I believe this has caused much of the significant flooding into households and businesses. “I was called out very early on Wednesday by concerned residents and there was little I could do to help apart from try to get all the emergency services involved. “The pumps were definitely not working as we have seen them in operation in other similar situations.”
A Southern Water spokesperson has confirmed they are aware of the concerns and an investigation will be carried out to understand the full circumstances.
