Flood Alert Issued for River Axe Area: Flooding Possible in Devon, Dorset, and Somerset

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for the River Axe area. The alert was raised following heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours, which has led to forecast high river levels.

Affected Areas

The geographic scope of this alert includes parts of Devon, Dorset Council, and Somerset. Specific areas of concern identified by the Environment Agency include:

• Seaton
• Colyton
• Axminster
• Axmouth

Watercourses affected include the River Coly, River Yarty, and Umborne Brook.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to:

• Avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
• Take care near riverbanks and low-lying land.
• Monitor local conditions as the situation develops.

Expected Conditions

Forecast river levels are expected to cause flooding to low-lying land and roads close to the rivers. While the rivers are expected to remain high throughout the evening, no flooding to properties is currently forecast. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation.

Timeline

The alert is effective as of February 18, 2026. Flooding conditions are expected to begin around 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 18. This message is scheduled to be updated by 4:00 PM on February 19, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.