Flood Alert Issued for Groundwater in West Sussex Communities Including West Dean and Singleton

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert (Severity Level 3) for groundwater in the Solent and South Downs area. The alert was officially raised at 4:17 PM on February 23, 2026, due to groundwater levels remaining very close to the surface.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the following geographic regions in West Sussex:

• West Dean
• Singleton
• Charlton
• East Dean
• Chilgrove

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to take the following actions:

• Travel Safety: Take extra care on roads prone to flooding, particularly in Chilgrove, West Dean, Singleton, and East Dean.
• Equipment Check: Ensure that any water pumps are in good working order.
• Infrastructure Awareness: Be aware that groundwater levels are currently affecting the ability of the sewage network to operate in East Dean, Charlton, Singleton, and West Dean.

Expected Conditions

While groundwater levels are currently falling, they remain high. Expected impacts include:

• Surface Water: Springs appearing and water accumulating in fields.
• Road Hazards: Small amounts of water flowing down roads.
• Property Impact: Potential for water to appear in a small number of basements.
• Sewage Issues: Reduced functionality of the sewage network in the affected villages.

Timeline

• February 23–25, 2026: Isolated showers are forecast; groundwater levels are expected to continue falling during this window.
• Thursday, February 26, 2026: A weather front is forecast to bring widespread rainfall to the region.
• Friday, February 27, 2026: Groundwater at Lavant valley boreholes is predicted to rise again and continue rising through the following week.
• Long-term Outlook: Groundwater flood impacts are expected to continue until the middle of March. The Environment Agency will provide an updated message by 6:00 PM on February 27, 2026.