Hazards
Flooding
Flooding is where there is an overflow of water submerging land that is usually dry. Types of flooding include coastal, river, groundwater, and flash floods.
Flood risks
Flooding is a particular risk in low-lying coastal areas and flood plains that have been built on.
What has been implemented to help the district prepare for flooding
There is significant emergency planning work that has been completed with agencies and partners across the district and county that set out what procedures and arrangements are in place should flooding occur.
The Local Resilience Forum has useful resources to help prepare your household for an emergency such as flooding.
Impact of flooding
Some impacts of flooding to the district include:
- damage to property
- increased cost of insurance
- inability to attend work/school
- loss of trade for businesses
- impact on wildlife and biodiversity
Coastal erosion
Coastal Erosion is the loss or displacement of land along the Coastline, caused by waves and tides, sediment supply, precipitation levels or the effect of groundwater. Although Coastal Erosion does occur naturally, the effects of climate change are accelerating.
Coastal erosion risks
Coastal erosion is a risk across the coastline in the New Forest, this map shows the estimated areas at risk of coastal erosion.
Hurst and Calshot Castles have been highlighted as particularly vulnerable to the effects of coastal erosion.
What has been implemented to help the district to prepare for coastal erosion
There are two strategies being developed to manage the risk of Coastal Erosion along the New Forest Coastline. These are the Christchurch Bay and Harbour FCERM Strategy 2021-2024 and the Hurst Spit to Lymington Strategy.
Impact of coastal erosion
Some impacts of coastal erosion to the district include:
- loss of property
- loss of beach huts
- costs of protecting
- loss of tourism
- increased isolation
- impact on habitats and biodiversity
Heatwaves
Heatwaves are an extreme weather event where there is unusually hot weather, typically lasting for more than two days.
Heatwave risks
The more built-up areas in the district experience the 'Urban Heat Island Effect' and will experience higher temperatures than those living in the more rural areas of the district.
Heatwaves are particularly impactful on the elderly population and on those with long-term health conditions.
Impacts of heatwaves
Some impacts of heatwaves to the district include:
- impact on physical health
- increase risk of heat related death
- increased need for cooling measures e.g. aircon
- food shortages
- risk of wildfire
- damage to infrastructure e.g. melting roads and buckling rail
Air quality
Air quality refers to the condition of the air within our surroundings and is a measure of how clean or polluted the air is.
Air quality risks
In general, air quality in the New Forest is good, but there are some pockets along the Waterside where it is poorer.
Air quality monitoring
There are 2 active local authority funded air quality monitoring sites within the district, located in Fawley and Totton. We also produce an annual local air quality report to record the air quality in the district and highlight local actions taking place.
Impact of air quality to the district
Some of the impacts of air quality to the district include:
- cardiovascular and respiratory health my worsen
- poorer quality of life
- impact of on wildlife
Share this page
