CIVIC chiefs have launched a survey into the flash flooding that hit Winchester last August.

A monsoon inundated parts of the city centre and other areas such as Fulflood and St Cross on August 27.

Hampshire County Council is undertaking a formal investigation into the causes and effects of the flooding.

Cllr Rob Humby, deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “I promised a full investigation into the flooding in Winchester last summer and I am pleased to say it is well underway. Part of this investigation is a survey, and I would encourage as many people to take part in this as possible so that we can understand how the flooding affected people.

“The county council is committed to doing all it can to reduce the risk of flooding for communities across Hampshire. The rainfall we saw on August 27 was exceptional with 35mm falling in just 15 minutes, that is half of the average August rainfall.

“The findings of this investigation will be published and we will use them to try and identify actions that will either reduce the likelihood of similar events happening again in the future, or reduce their impact. Extreme weather events such as these also underline the importance of all our efforts to mitigate and tackle the impact of climate change – whether those are extremes of heat, cold or rainfall.”

The survey is open until Friday January 15 via the county council’s web pages: https://www.hants.gov.uk/landplanningandenvironment/environment/flooding/reportingflooding.

It is important landowners maintain their ditches and watercourses for which they are responsible to help prevent flooding.

Find out who to report a flood or possible cause of flooding to at: www.gov.uk/report-flood-cause. In an emergency where there is danger to life call 999.

If you believe the flooding is from a main river contact the Environment Agency at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency or phone 0800 80 70 60.

Urgent issues on the highway can be reported to the County Council by phoning 0300 555 1388 during office hours and 101 outside of office hours.

Surface water flooding on the highway can also be reported direct to Hampshire County Council at www.hants.gov.uk/transport/roadmaintenance/roadproblems.

For other incidents of flooding report at: https://www.hants.gov.uk/landplanningandenvironment/environment/flooding/reportingflooding.