Flood Alert Issued for Alton Area as Groundwater Levels Rise in Hampshire

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for the Alton area in Hampshire. The alert was officially raised at 6:16 PM on February 24, 2026, following reports of rising groundwater levels that may lead to flooding.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically concerns the Alton area within the Thames region of Hampshire. Monitoring is currently focused on the Farringdon borehole near Alton, where levels have reached a point where local communities may be affected.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following actions:

• Prepare property resilience measures to mitigate potential flood damage.
• Check that any installed basement or flood pumps are in good working order.
• Stay informed on local conditions as groundwater levels continue to change.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels are currently above normal for this time of year and are expected to continue rising. Due to the nature of groundwater flooding, the Environment Agency warns that this situation could persist for several weeks or longer. Flooding is considered possible starting from February 24, 2026.

Timeline

The alert is effective immediately as of February 24, 2026. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and expects to provide an updated message by 8:00 PM on March 3, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.