Flood Alert Issued for Cuckmere River in East Sussex as Water Levels Recede

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Cuckmere River within the Solent and South Downs area. This alert, classified as severity level 3, indicates that while river levels are currently falling, residents should remain aware of potential minor impacts in the region.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the Cuckmere River geographic area in East Sussex. Key locations identified in the warning include Hellingly and Alfriston. Specific thoroughfares noted for potential flooding hazards include Mill Lane and Church Road in Hellingly, as well as North Street in Alfriston.

What You Should Do

Residents are advised to avoid putting themselves or others at risk. Specifically, the Environment Agency recommends avoiding roads that are prone to flooding, including Mill Lane, Church Road (Hellingly), and North Street (Alfriston). Monitor local conditions as residual flood impacts may still affect fields in the area.

Expected Conditions

River levels in Hellingly and Alfriston have fallen significantly following rainfall on Wednesday. Only minimal residual flood impacts affecting fields are expected to remain. A small amount of light rain—less than 5mm—is forecast for Sunday morning, which is expected to cause only a minimal rise in river levels.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised on February 22, 2026, at 1:27 PM. Rain is predicted to clear by Sunday afternoon, with only isolated showers expected from Monday through Friday. River levels are projected to remain low or fall further throughout the coming week. The Environment Agency will provide an update on this status by 20:00 on February 23, 2026.