Flood Alert Issued for Lower River Ems Affecting Hampshire and West Sussex
This alert is no longer in effect.
Environment Agency issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).
Areazine synthesizes this Environment Agency flood warning directly from Environment Agency's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Lower River Ems, warning of potential property flooding and rising river levels through Sunday.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Flood Alert
- Affected area
- Hampshire and West Sussex
- Issued
- April 6, 2026
- Issuing authority
- Environment Agency
Flood notices turn on location and timing. Treat the named area as this record's scope; do not assume nearby counties, parishes, or waterways were included.
Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Hampshire and West Sussex.
Alert Details
The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for the Lower River Ems. The alert was officially raised at 10:04 AM on February 21, 2026, following weeks of heavy rainfall that have left the river levels significantly elevated.
Affected Areas
The alert covers the Solent and South Downs region, specifically impacting Hampshire and West Sussex. Areas currently experiencing minor flood impacts include fields, Brook Meadows, rural roads, and gardens along the River Ems. Residents in Westbourne and Emsworth are advised to stay vigilant.
What You Should Do
Residents in Westbourne and Emsworth should consider activating any flood protection products they may have. Because flooding may occur quickly, it is important to monitor local conditions closely. The Environment Agency is currently monitoring the situation, operating the structure at Constant Springs, and clearing debris screens to maintain flow.
Expected Conditions
The River Ems is currently high. While only a minimal rise is expected Saturday evening following light rain (less than 5mm), Sunday's forecast remains uncertain. A probable scenario of less than 10mm of rain would cause river levels to rise by 10cm, likely flooding more gardens. A less likely but possible scenario of 20mm of rain could result in isolated property flooding.
Timeline
The alert is effective immediately, with river levels expected to remain higher than normal for several weeks. Potential property flooding could begin as early as 10:00 AM on February 22, 2026. Unsettled weather may continue throughout February, posing further risks. This alert is scheduled to be updated by 20:00 on February 22, 2026.
Original source: Environment Agency Official Notice ↗
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Common questions about this Environment Agency flood warning.