Flood Alert Issued for Bartley Water in Hampshire Following Heavy Rain Forecast

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for Bartley Water within the Solent and South Downs area. The alert was officially raised on February 18, 2026, due to rising river levels caused by heavy rainfall.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the Hampshire region, specifically focusing on the Bartley Water area. Residents in Woodlands and Ashurst should prepare for potential flooding of land, roads, and gardens. Property flooding is considered possible in Woodlands. At this time, impacts are not expected to reach Totton, Rumbridge, or Eling.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning zone are advised to take the following precautions:

• Consider activating any flood protection products you may have on your property.
• Avoid walking or driving through flooded roads, as flood water could be deep and dangerous.
• Monitor local weather updates and river levels closely.

Expected Conditions

Approximately 25mm of rain is forecast for the area. This volume of precipitation is expected to lead to high river levels starting Wednesday evening. While heavy rain is the primary concern, smaller amounts of rain are forecast to continue from Thursday, February 19, through Sunday, February 22.

Timeline

The alert is effective beginning at 20:00 on February 18, 2026. The heavy rain is expected to clear the Hampshire area during the morning of Thursday, February 19. River levels and the overall flood risk at Ashurst Bridge are anticipated to begin reducing later on Thursday. The Environment Agency will provide an update on this situation by 6:00 PM on February 20, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.