An Overview of the Strategic Flood Map
The primary aim of the Strategic Flood Map is to provide an overview of the flood risk in Northern Ireland as it illustrates the areas that have flooded in the past and those which are considered to be prone to flooding now and in the future. Within the Strategic Flood Map there is a number of layers which identify the areas at risk of flooding from each of the main flood sources i.e. rivers, sea and surface water. 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. It 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 and Ireland 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 the flood prone areas, it is not sufficiently accurate to determine the flood risk to individual properties or specific point locations.
The Strategic Flood Map has enabled Government Departments, local authorities and other organisations to adopt a 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 land use 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 planning policy which seeks to minimise flood risk to people, property and the environment. PPS 15 adopts a precautionary approach to development decisions which takes account of the predicted impacts 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.
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