Flood Alert Issued for River Stour and Smestow Brook in West Midlands and South Staffordshire

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Stour and Smestow Brook catchment areas. This alert indicates that flooding is possible due to forecast high river levels.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the Black Country and South Staffordshire regions. Specific counties included in the warning zone are Dudley, Sandwell, Staffordshire, Wolverhampton, and Worcestershire. Residents in and around Halesowen, Stourbridge, Wombourne, Kingswinford, and Kinver should remain vigilant, as low-lying land and roads in these areas are most at risk.

What You Should Do

Local residents are advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
• Stay away from low-lying roads situated near rivers, as these may become inundated.
• Monitor local weather reports and river level updates.

Expected Conditions

High river levels are forecast overnight, which may lead to the flooding of roads and land adjacent to the River Stour and Smestow Brook. The Environment Agency is currently monitoring both rainfall and river levels to assess the ongoing risk.

Timeline

The alert was raised on February 26, 2026, at 5:06 PM. Flooding is considered possible starting from the early hours of February 27, 2026. Agency officials expect to provide an update by 11:00 PM on February 27, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.