5. Retford – Historic Floodplain Vulnerability
Situated in the Idle River Valley, Retford suffers regular and historic flooding due to its clay-rich, marsh-like terrain. Key events include:
- A record river level of 1.79 m during Storm Babet in October 2023.
- Frequent floods over centuries—floods recorded in 1795, 1886, 2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, and the major 2023 event that affected 200+ homes.
In autumn, when rainfalls intensify and the ground is often already saturated, Retford’s location on its floodplain makes it especially prone to major flooding events.