Flood Alert Issued for River Cherwell Across Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and West Northamptonshire

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Cherwell catchment area. The alert was officially raised at 5:03 PM on February 16, 2026, in response to rising river levels following recent rainfall.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the River Cherwell from Charwelton to just above Upper Heyford. The geographic scope includes parts of Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and West Northamptonshire. Specific waterways identified in the alert include:

• River Cherwell and River Swere
• Highfurlong, Ashby, and Culworth Brooks
• Hanwell, Chacombe, and Marston Brooks
• Thenford, Farthinghoe, Charlton, and Deddington Brooks

Flooding of low-lying land and roads is specifically expected in the Banbury area.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
• Monitor local weather conditions and river levels.
• Visit the River Levels Online service for the most current updates.

Expected Conditions

River levels are expected to continue rising slowly throughout the evening of February 16. While further rain showers are possible overnight, the forecast for tomorrow, February 17, is predominantly dry. However, officials warn that river levels will remain high and sensitive to any additional rainfall over the next several days.

Timeline

The alert is effective as of the evening of February 16, 2026. The Environment Agency expects to provide an update on the situation by 12:00 PM on February 17, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.