Flood Alert Issued for River Cole Affecting Birmingham and West Midlands

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Cole. This precautionary alert was raised at 5:09 PM on February 27, 2026, following forecasts of overnight rainfall that may lead to rising river levels.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the West Midlands region, specifically impacting areas within Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Flooding is most likely to affect low-lying land and roads adjacent to the River Cole in the stretch between Majors Green and Coleshill.

What You Should Do

Residents and commuters are advised to avoid low-lying roads near rivers, which are susceptible to flooding. The Environment Agency strongly advises against driving through flood water, noting that as little as 30cm of fast-flowing water is sufficient to move a vehicle.

Expected Conditions

High river levels are forecast overnight due to predicted rainfall. The Environment Agency is actively monitoring both rainfall patterns and river levels to assess the ongoing risk to the region.

Timeline

Flooding conditions are possible starting from the early hours of February 28, 2026. Agency officials expect to provide an update on this alert by 11:00 AM on February 28, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes significantly.