There have been floods in Forest Hill. In the late 90's / eary 00's there was some really heavy rainfall. The runoff forced the grates up and Stanstead was like a mini river. The Catford side of Stanstead Road had a puddle about 40 feet long and stretching beyond the middle of the road around the corner of the road opposite Rathfern Road. I remember it well as I was drenched by a bus which shot through the puddle sending water over 6 feet in the air soaking my literally from head to toe. I had parked my car at Forest Hill station but had been forced to come back via Catford as the Forest Hill line was suspended.

I had to go home and change before I picked up the car. There was about a foot of water in the under pass at the railway station and about the same on the road under the railway bridge. I drove down Stanstead and a number of the grates were up with water appearing to be being forced out, and the fire brigade were pumping out a basement a couple of doors from the fire station.

I thought it was a little exceptional so I picked up my elderley neighbour and took her around to show her. I remember the water on Hurstbourne being quite deep in the road too, but I don't know how many people's houses were affected by it though

It is possible that flooding claims were made to the particular company at that time which has affected premiums.