Flood Alert Issued for Patcham and Withdean Due to High Groundwater Levels

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for groundwater flooding in Patcham. The alert was officially raised at 5:06 PM on March 2, 2026, for the Solent and South Downs area.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers regions within the county of Brighton and Hove. According to the Environment Agency, impacts are most likely to affect:

• Old London Road in Patcham
• Peacock Lane in Withdean

What You Should Do

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

• Check Equipment: Ensure that all basement pumps are in working order.
• Monitor Conditions: Stay informed on groundwater levels as water may still appear in some basements.

The Environment Agency is currently liaising with the Brighton and Hove City Council to manage the situation.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels at the Ladies Mile borehole are currently high and close to the surface, though they have begun to fall slowly. While the frequency of basement flooding is expected to be low, the high water table remains a concern.

The meteorological outlook is favorable, with only small amounts of rain forecast over the five-day period ending March 6, 2026. High pressure and settled conditions are expected to persist across the south east of England through the first half of the month, which should allow groundwater levels to continue their gradual decline.

Timeline

Flood impacts are expected to continue through the first week of March 2026. The Environment Agency will monitor the situation at the Ladies Mile borehole and provides a scheduled update by 6:00 PM on March 6, 2026.