This week marks 25 years since the devastating East Sussex floods of 2000. Torrential rain caused the River Ouse and River Uck to burst their banks, drowning Lewes, Uckfield, Barcombe, and nearby communities in chaos.

Heroic RNLI Crews Brave Freezing Floodwaters

As floodwaters surged, RNLI crews from Newhaven, Shoreham, Brighton, Eastbourne, and Hastings teamed up with the Fire Service, police, and emergency services for a massive rescue operation. Volunteers battled cold, debris, and dangerous conditions to evacuate residents, rescue stranded pets, and search for missing people and livestock swept away by the flood.

Roger Cohen MBE, now Newhaven RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, was then a Brighton RNLI volunteer. He recalled:

“Inflatable lifeboats were transported from nearby stations and RNLI HQ in Poole. It was cold and difficult work. Volunteers had to contend with smashed drain covers and debris while navigating muddy waters.”

Shoreham RNLI added:

“Our crews spent 16 hours in freezing, treacherous conditions. One lifeboat was even sucked under Cliffe Bridge in Lewes by debris and currents, but the crew climbed to safety.”

Daring Rescue of Pregnant Woman in Barcombe

Among the most dramatic moments was the rescue of a pregnant woman trapped by floods in Barcombe. Shoreham RNLI said:

“Our crew navigated flooded fields, using a tractor to reach her home. She was taken into the lifeboat and handed over to an ambulance. She later gave birth to a baby boy she named Noah.”

Legacy of the 2000 Floods: Specialist Flood Rescue Teams

The floods marked a turning point for the RNLI, sparking the development of specialist flood rescue teams trained to tackle similar emergencies nationwide.

Now, 25 years on, the RNLI pays tribute to its brave volunteers and the resilient East Sussex communities who faced one of the region’s greatest natural disasters head-on.