Flood Alert Issued for Groundwater Flooding in Hampshire Communities

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert for groundwater flooding in the Solent and South Downs area. The alert was officially raised at 11:25 AM on March 2, 2026, due to high groundwater levels recorded at the Harestock borehole.

Affected Areas

The geographic scope of this alert includes several communities within Hampshire:

• Littleton
• Headbourne
• Kings Worthy
• Martyr Worthy
• Easton
• Chilland

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to prepare property resilience measures immediately. It is essential to ensure that any installed water pumps are in working order. The Environment Agency continues to monitor the situation closely.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels at the Harestock borehole are currently high but are slowly falling, having decreased by 70cm over the past week.

Specific hazards include:

• Road Flooding: Flooding is currently affecting Springvale Road in Kings Worthy.
• Drainage Issues: In Martyr Worthy, Chilland, and Easton, drainage ditches and culverts are full, making them less effective as natural flow paths are restricted.
• Property Impact: Some properties may experience water seeping up through floors.
• Access: Footpaths near the river are expected to be inaccessible.

Timeline

The alert is effective as of March 2, 2026. A mostly dry weather forecast is expected from Monday, March 2, through Friday, March 6, 2026, which should allow groundwater levels to continue their gradual decline. This message is scheduled to be updated by 6:00 PM on March 9, 2026.