Flood Alert Issued for River Sow and River Penk in Staffordshire and Wolverhampton

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert (Severity Level 3) for the West Midlands area. The alert was officially raised at 8:34 AM on February 15, 2026, in response to rising river levels caused by heavy rainfall over the preceding 24 hours.

Affected Areas

The alert impacts regions within Staffordshire and Wolverhampton. Specific geographic areas at risk of flooding include:

• River Sow: Low-lying land and roads between Great Bridgeford and Shugborough.
• River Penk: Areas adjacent to the river between Coven and Stafford.
• Local Brooks: Sandyford Brook, Rising Brook, Ridings Brook, and Saredon Brook.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to take the following safety measures:

• Avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
• Stay away from low-lying footpaths and any bridges situated near local watercourses.
• Monitor local conditions as the situation develops.

Expected Conditions

River levels are currently high at the Milford river gauge. Flooding is expected to affect low-lying land and roads adjacent to the identified rivers and brooks. With further rain forecast throughout the day, the Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation. Flooding is anticipated to continue through the remainder of today, February 15, and into the overnight period.

Timeline

The alert is effective immediately as of February 15, 2026. Conditions are expected to persist through the night. The Environment Agency has stated that this message will be updated by 11:00 AM on February 16, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.