Flood Alert Issued for Groundwater in Finchdean, Dean Lane End, and Rowlands Castle

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert for groundwater flooding in the Solent and South Downs area. The alert was raised at 16:33 on March 9, 2026, due to elevated groundwater levels affecting local infrastructure and properties.

Affected Areas

The primary geographic regions affected include Finchdean, Dean Lane End, and Rowlands Castle, spanning the counties of Hampshire and West Sussex.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to prepare property resilience measures immediately. If you have a pump installed to manage water levels, ensure that it is in good working order. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels are currently falling slowly, with a recorded drop of 8cm at the Finchdean borehole over the past week. Despite this decline, flooding is still expected to affect a small number of cellars in Finchdean, Dean Lane End, and Rowlands Castle. Ongoing road flooding is also expected, and there are potential impacts on the local sewerage system. Rainfall between 10mm and 20mm is forecast for Hampshire between Monday, March 9, and Friday, March 13, 2026.

Timeline

The alert is effective as of March 9, 2026. While groundwater levels are expected to continue a slow decline throughout this week, they could begin rising again in the second half of March if heavy rain affects the valley. Further unsettled weather is possible over the upcoming weekend. The Environment Agency will provide an update on this situation by 18:00 on March 16, 2026.