Flood Alert Issued for Eastern Yar on the Isle of Wight Following Heavy Rainfall

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert (Severity Level 3) for the Eastern Yar within the Solent and South Downs region. The alert was officially raised at 7:58 AM on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in response to rising river levels.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the Eastern Yar on the Isle of Wight. Impacted locations include low-lying land, roads, cycle tracks, and footpaths close to the river. Specific areas of concern include:

• Langbridge and Alverstone (river near bank full)
• Golf Links Road and Moreton Common Road
• Fort Holiday Park (drainage issues in surrounding ditches)
• Nicholas Close (potential garden flooding)
• Sandown (river expected to rise throughout the day)

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas, particularly in Alverstone, should consider activating any available flood protection products. The Environment Agency is currently monitoring the situation, checking rivers for blockages, and operating the Bembridge sluices to manage water flow.

Expected Conditions

Significant rainfall totaling 45mm has fallen over the last 24 hours. This has resulted in high river levels that are currently affecting infrastructure and low-lying areas. While only small amounts of rain are forecast from Friday, February 20, onwards, the existing water volume means river levels will remain high.

Timeline

The alert is effective as of February 19, 2026. Flooding impacts are expected to continue for at least the next 48 hours. The Environment Agency plans to provide an update on the situation by 6:00 PM on February 21, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.