After hurricane Katrina, your editorial stated: "A natural disaster like this should make us grateful we have a climate where we are not affected by extreme weather conditions" (The Argus, September 3).

Hopefully, our emergency advisors do not share the same optimism, leaving us as unprepared and disorganised as the Americans were.

Only half a century ago, East Anglia had massive flooding down to the Kent coast. The Thames Barrier is already under review.

The decking for the new West Pier was to be higher to accommodate increasing high tides.

The King Alfred sports complex and Hove lawns are often subject to high tide flooding on to the coast road.

Soon much higher sea defences will be needed but kept quiet because of cost. Thousands of trees have been uprooted, buildings have been damaged by whirlwinds and flash floods are becoming more frequent.

Brighton and Hove City Council is well aware time and tide wait for no politicians.

-John Stanaway, Hove