Flood Alert Issued for East Kent as Groundwater Levels Rise

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for East Kent. The alert was officially raised on March 6, 2026, at 1:51 PM following a period of rising groundwater levels across the region.

Affected Areas

The alert covers several geographic regions within Kent, specifically focusing on the Petham Bourne, Alkham bourne, and Nailbourne areas. Impacted communities include:

• Alkham
• Temple Ewell
• Elham
• Barham
• Bishopsbourne
• Bridge
• Patrixbourne
• Bekesbourne

What You Should Do

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

• Monitor local groundwater levels via the ‘Check for Flooding’ service on the gov.uk website.
• Riparian owners (those who own land adjoining a watercourse) are reminded of their responsibility to keep rivers on their property clear of debris and obstructions.
• Be prepared for potential flooding of low-lying land, roads, and properties with basements.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels in East Kent have been rising steadily following significant rainfall recorded throughout January and early February. Currently, the Nailbourne is flowing along its full course. While weather conditions became noticeably drier by late February and groundwater levels are beginning to stabilize in some locations, the risk of flooding remains. The Environment Agency has already begun operating the Littlebourne Relief Channel to manage water levels.

Timeline

The alert is currently active as of March 6, 2026. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and expects to provide a formal update by 4:00 PM on March 13, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.