Following last winter’s flooding, Dorset Council’s £9.25 million programme of recovery and improvement work is underway to support affected areas and help the county prepare for more extreme weather ahead.

This includes £250,000 for additional gully and drain clearance, alongside substantial repair and recovery schemes over the coming months – including £456,000 of investment at Old Sherborne Road in Cerne Abbas, and at Horton Road and Main Road in Godmanstone.

Dorset Council is set to work closely with communities to understand what happened, learn lessons, and build stronger resilience for the future.

The council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve plans to launch investigations and local reviews into the flooding when it meets next Tuesday (19 May).

These investigations will be designed to give residents clear answers about what caused last winter’s flooding and ensure future investment is focused where it will make the greatest difference.

Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said: “These flood investigations will be about listening to communities, understanding exactly what went well and what can be improved, and using that evidence to make us more resilient for future flooding events.

“They will also help ensure that investment in flood recovery and resilience is targeted, fair, and shaped by local experience.

“By combining local knowledge with technical expertise, we will help communities to be heard, supported and better prepared for the challenges of a changing climate.”

If approved by Cabinet, the council will carry out a series of detailed flood investigations and local flood reviews in communities over the coming months.

These investigations will examine what happened, clarify responsibilities across drainage and river systems, and identify practical actions to reduce the risk of future flooding.

In addition to investigating the most serious flooding incidents, the council will also carry out community-level flood reviews in areas that were significantly affected but do not meet the formal threshold for investigation.

All findings will be published and shared with local people and partner organisations.

The results will help inform and attract future investment in flood recovery and resilience work, and support prioritisation of schemes such as drainage improvements, road repairs, and longer-term flood prevention measures.

Dorset was impacted by prolonged and intense rainfall earlier this year, including Storm Chandra, with some areas experiencing severe impacts. January 2026 was the second wettest on record for the Wessex area.

Roads were damaged, communities were disrupted, and some residents experienced internal flooding to their homes.

Dorset Council recorded:

• a 92% increase in reported potholes due to water damage
• a 54% increase in other road defects
• an 83% increase in emergency callouts to close roads.

The proposed investigation programme is intended to ensure these experiences lead to meaningful, practical improvements in flood resilience across Dorset.