Flood Alert Issued for River Itchen in Winchester as Water Levels Rise

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Winchester Itchen area within the Solent and South Downs region. This alert was raised on February 23, 2026, due to high river levels following an exceptionally wet January and February.

Affected Areas

The primary area of concern is the River Itchen in Hampshire. Specific locations that could be affected by flooding include North Walls Recreation Ground and River Park in Winchester.

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors should exercise caution in the affected areas. Winchester City Council has already taken precautionary measures by installing flood barriers at Park Avenue, River Park, and Water Lane. The Environment Agency is currently liaising with emergency services and local authorities regarding sluice operations. Residents are advised to monitor local conditions as river levels remain higher than normal.

Expected Conditions

High river levels are expected to persist over the next two days. While a brief period of dry weather is forecast from Monday, February 23, through Wednesday, February 25, river levels are expected to remain elevated throughout the remainder of February and into March. Further rainfall is forecast for Thursday, February 26, and Friday, February 27, which may cause the river to rise again.

Timeline

The alert is currently effective as of February 23, 2026. A dry window is expected between February 23 and February 25, providing a temporary chance for the river to recover before potential rainfall on February 26 and 27. The Environment Agency expects to provide an updated message by 18:00 on February 25, 2026.