Flood Alert Issued for Finchdean, Dean Lane End, and Rowlands Castle Due to Groundwater Levels

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for groundwater flooding in the Solent and South Downs region. The alert was officially raised at 11:37 AM on March 2, 2026, following monitoring of local groundwater levels.

Affected Areas

The geographic scope of this alert includes the villages of Finchdean, Dean Lane End, and Rowlands Castle. These areas span the counties of Hampshire and West Sussex.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected villages are urged not to walk or drive through flood water. The Environment Agency continues to monitor the situation closely as conditions evolve.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels at the local borehole in Finchdean are currently falling at a very slow rate, with a recorded decrease of 9cm over the last week. Despite this decline, flooding is expected to impact a small number of cellars in Finchdean, Dean Lane End, and Rowlands Castle. Road flooding is anticipated to be deep throughout all three villages. Additionally, there is a possibility of impacts on the local sewerage system due to the high water levels.

Timeline

The alert is currently active. A forecast of mostly dry weather is expected from Monday, March 2, 2026, to Friday, March 6, 2026, which should allow groundwater levels to continue their slow descent over the next week. The Environment Agency has stated that this message will be updated by 18:00 on March 9, 2026.