Map shows parts of Sussex that could be lost to the sea by 2030

Created by an independent organisation of leading scientists and journalists, collectively known as Climate Central, the sea level rise and coastal flood maps show areas of the county that could be flooded by the end of the decade.

The map uses current projections and peer-reviewed science in leading journals.

In Sussex, vast swathes of the east coast look set to disappear with water submerging land from the Roselands, Pevensey, Normans Bay all the way inland towards Hailsham.

The coast along Bexhill is also in the red along with Rye and Camber.

Alfriston, Seaford, Newhaven and Lewes are also in danger.

The seafront along Brighton and Hove could also be submerged with casualties including Brighton Marina and the i360.

To the west of the county, rising sea levels are set to greatly affect Shoreham with the River Adur also causing several settlements to flood from the town all the way to up to West Grinstead.

Worthing seafront as well as a large area covering from Splashpoint up to almost the A27 and towards Sompting could sit below the annual flood level.

And Littlehampton, all the way up through Arundel to just beyond Pulborough could also fall victim to rising flood levels, as well as much of Chichester Harbour.

Climate Central has stressed that the maps include big datasets, “which always include some error.”

It also warns that estimates do not factor in man-made structures to prevent further damage including seawalls – meaning it is likely some areas will not face the true expected scale of damage.

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“These maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error,” it said.

“These maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk.

“Our approach makes it easy to map any scenario quickly and reflects threats from permanent future sea-level rise well.

“However, the accuracy of these maps drops when assessing risks from extreme flood events.

“Our maps are not based on physical storm and flood simulations and do not take into account factors such as erosion, future changes in the frequency or intensity of storms, inland flooding, or contributions from rainfall or rivers.

“Improved elevation data indicate far greater global threats from sea level rise and coastal flooding than previously thought, and thus greater benefits from reducing their causes.”