Local communities are being asked whether they want to accept the consequences of extreme weather events or spend money to create sea defences.

Experts in flood management, who have come up with a series of options for the areas worst affected by last year's floods, will be hosting presentations to encourage feedback. The presentations will be tailored to each specific local area.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: 'Local communities are being invited to play a leading role in the decision-making process. We will present the findings of our research and explain the different options that have been identified, but it is up to the people living in vulnerable areas to make their feelings known. Communities may decide to accept the consequences of extreme weather events, rather than have the visual impact of new sea defences.

'The Department is being proactive and tackling this issue as part of its long- term strategic planning. We are looking at options that will protect our towns and ports from the impacts of climate change for the next 100 years. Parts of Castletown and Ramsey experienced the worst of the storms and flooding at the beginning of 2014, so we are hosting our evening presentations in those areas to encourage a strong public turnout. Meetings are also taking place in Laxey and Port St Mary and we will be talking to MHKs, local authorities and other stakeholders to gather their views.'

The meetings are:

Laxey - 11am Thursday Febrary 26 at The Institute;
Castletown - 7.30pm Thursday February 26 at St Mary's Church, Hope Street;
Port St Mary - 1.30pm Friday February 27 at the Town Hall;
Ramsey - 6pm Friday February 27 at the Town Hall.

The report's findings can be accessed at http://www.gov.im/coastandwave

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