Flood Alert Issued for River Cherwell from Charwelton to Upper Heyford

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert (Severity Level 3) for the River Cherwell and its tributaries. The alert was officially raised at 12:15 PM on February 17, 2026, in response to high river levels that may lead to flooding.

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 affected include:

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

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

What You Should Do

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

• Take care and avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
• Monitor current conditions by visiting River Levels Online for updates.
• Stay prepared as river levels remain sensitive to further rainfall over the coming days.

Expected Conditions

High river levels are currently impacting the region. While the forecast for the remainder of today and overnight is predominantly dry, further rain is expected tomorrow. This additional precipitation is likely to keep river levels high and potentially cause further flooding of low-lying areas and roads.

Timeline

The alert is effective as of February 17, 2026. While conditions are expected to be dry overnight, the threat remains through the following day as more rain arrives. The Environment Agency will provide an update on the situation by 12:00 PM on February 18, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.