During the past week images of Cumbria underwater have dominated television news programmes.

The footage of people flooded out of their homes with a lifetime of possessions destroyed will have affected many.

But experts are warning a similar tragedy in Sussex is a real possibility.

Flooding in recent years has left large sections of towns such as Crawley, Uckfield and Lewes under water.

Yesterday, The Argus reported that one in six homes in Brighton and Hove are under threat if a period of heavy rainfall hits.

In June, a report from the Environment Agency said that across Sussex 63,524 buildings out of 980,071, more than 8%, are at risk.

As a member of the Local Government Association’s Coastal Issues Special Interest Group, Councillor Roger Thomas speaks to people about the threat of flooding on a daily basis.

He said: “Climate change is very much here and there are big changes for everybody ahead.

“You just have to look at Cumbria, where rainfall has increased year on year.

“At the minute it is the people of Cockermouth and other towns who are suffering but it could be Sussex next time.

“There are towns like Uckfield where the defences will not hold.

“I can say that if we had the levels Cumbria has had, it would be impossible to get anywhere in the county.”

Coun Thomas said the biggest problems were the current reactive culture from the authorities responsible and the cost of flood defences.

For instance, proposed flood defences to be built by the River Cuckmere near the A259 will cost about £2.9 million.

He said: “There is a big problem in responding to threats.

“You only have to look at Lewes to see how long it takes to get something done.

It has taken ten years to get the flood defences set up in that town.

“I know they are costly but if an area is identified as a potential threat then action must be taken.

“The Environment Agency does offer advice for people who might not be able to deal with the risk of flooding themselves.

“But unless people are given some sort of grant there will be no incentive to battle climate change as a whole.

“Some people can’t even afford to lag their loft so why will they set aside thousands of pounds to pay for their own defences.

“You cannot expect people to pay out of their own pocket without a little bit of help.

“There is also an issue surrounding insurance companies.

“Some of them are getting very picky and if you live in an area where there is a major risk of flooding they will only insure people who can afford the extra premium.

“Everybody is struggling to find money in their pockets at the moment and flood insurance is one of those things people do not always take out.

“But without cover this is when people are at their most vulnerable.

“There is also a great need for reservoirs in Sussex.

“Every year there is a water shortage but the authorities responsible have not looked into ways we can increase the amount of water storage in the county.

“It will also take away some of the strain on our drainage network.”

Coun Thomas cited the national report published by Sir Michael Pitt, entitled Learning lessons from the 2007 floods, as the key to improving the authorities’ response to flooding.

A number of his proposals formed the basis for the Government’s Flood And Water Management Bill, which was announced during the Queen’s Speech last week.

Coun Thomas said: “Most people feel the Pitt Report was the best assessment on flooding that has ever been done.

It was extremely honest but also very accessible.

“One of his suggestions was that the local authority should be put in charge of local flood defence.

“In the Queen’s Speech last week it was suggested this will happen but I’m bitterly disappointed by the Government’s latest plans.

It has taken one step rather than the ten we need.

“There is a need for major legislation on this issue and the Government doesn’t seem to have done it.

“It seems to have tiptoed around the issue.

“In many ways I hope it is not passed as it will allow us to reconsider what needs doing.

“The comments about the sustainable drainage system I do welcome.

“But the problem is that although it wants to give the power back to local authorities it has not said how many powers will return or how this will be funded.

“From what I have gathered there is not the parliamentary time to pass through this piece of legislation so we may be back to stage one after all.”