Flood Alert Issued for Helford and Fal Rivers in Cornwall Through Thursday

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for the Helford and Fal Rivers. The alert was officially raised on February 17, 2026, at 5:13 PM following forecasts of heavy rainfall and rising river levels.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically impacts the Helford and Fal Rivers region within Cornwall, part of the Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly area. The geographic scope includes areas surrounding the River Kenwyn, River Allen, River Fal, and River Tinney.

What You Should Do

Residents and commuters are advised to take care and avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and will provide an update by 4:00 PM on February 18, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.

Expected Conditions

Heavy rain is forecast overnight on Tuesday. Because catchments in the region are already saturated, rivers are expected to respond quickly to the additional precipitation. Current forecasts indicate that flooding is possible for low-lying land and roads close to the rivers starting late Tuesday evening. At this time, no flooding to properties is forecast.

Timeline

The alert is effective from the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and is expected to persist until Thursday, February 19, 2026. High river levels are anticipated to remain a concern for the next three days.