Flood Alert Issued for Eastern Yar on Isle of Wight as River Levels Rise

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for the Eastern Yar. This alert indicates that flooding is possible due to high river levels following recent and forecast precipitation.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the Eastern Yar region within the Solent and South Downs area on the Isle of Wight. Impacted locations include:

• Langbridge and Alverstone: River levels are expected to be close to bank full.
• Roadways: Golf Links Road and Moreton Common Road are currently affected.
• Brading: Potential impacts at Nicholas Close.
• Fort Holiday Park: Drainage ditches in the vicinity are reportedly struggling to manage water volume.
• General Infrastructure: Low-lying land, cycle tracks, and footpaths adjacent to the river remain at risk.

What You Should Do

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

• Consider activating any available flood protection products.
• Avoid using low-lying footpaths or cycle tracks near the river.
• Monitor local weather reports and river level updates.
• Be aware that the Environment Agency is currently checking rivers for blockages and operating the Bembridge sluices to manage water flow.

Expected Conditions

Forecasters are calling for 15mm of rain on Sunday, February 15, 2026. This rainfall is expected to cause river levels to rise starting Sunday afternoon and continuing into Monday, February 16. Additional rainfall is forecast for Tuesday, February 17, and Wednesday, February 18, which will likely keep river levels elevated throughout the week.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised on the morning of February 15, 2026. High river levels are expected to persist into next week. The Environment Agency plans to provide a formal update on the situation by 6:00 PM on February 17, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.