Flood Alert Issued for Cuckmere River in East Sussex as Rain Forecasted Through Sunday

Alert Details

A flood alert has been issued by the Environment Agency for the Cuckmere River within the Solent and South Downs area. This alert (Severity Level 3) indicates that flooding is possible and residents should remain prepared for changing conditions.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the Cuckmere River region in East Sussex. Key locations identified include Hellingly and Alfriston. Specific roads noted for flood risk include Mill Lane and Church Road in Hellingly, as well as North Street in Alfriston.

What You Should Do

Residents are advised to avoid using roads that are prone to flooding, particularly Mill Lane, Church Road (Hellingly), and North Street (Alfriston). Do not put yourself or others at risk by entering floodwaters. Monitor local weather reports as the situation develops.

Expected Conditions

While river levels have fallen significantly following previous rainfall, new precipitation is expected. Saturday afternoon may see less than 5mm of rain, causing a small rise in river levels. On Sunday, a probable rainfall of less than 10mm is expected, which may cause minor impacts to fields, roads, and gardens. A less likely but possible scenario involves up to 20mm of rain, which could lead to isolated property flooding.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised on February 21, 2026. If the heavier rainfall scenario occurs on Sunday, February 22, property flooding could begin in Hellingly from 12:00 and in Alfriston from 20:00. River levels are expected to return toward normal by Tuesday. The Environment Agency will provide an update on this message by 20:00 on February 22, 2026.