Flood Alert Issued for Groundwater in Cranborne Chase Area Across Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for groundwater in the Cranborne Chase area within the Wessex region. The alert was officially raised on March 2, 2026, as groundwater levels remain above flood alert thresholds despite a recent plateauing of levels.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the Cranborne Chase area, spanning across Dorset Council, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. Specific locations identified as being at the highest risk include the Iwerne and Pimperne Brook areas.

What You Should Do

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

• Prepare and implement property resilience measures.
• Ensure that any installed water pumps are in good working order.
• Monitor local conditions, especially near fields and roads prone to flooding.

Expected Conditions

While groundwater levels have begun to plateau, they remain high enough to cause flooding in fields and roads. Where groundwater is near the surface, any intense rainfall will likely lead to surface water flooding. While the start of the week is expected to be brighter and drier, further rainfall is forecast starting Thursday, March 5, which may cause levels to rise again.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised at 10:25 AM on March 2, 2026. The Environment Agency expects to provide an update by 11:00 AM on March 9, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes significantly.