Flood Alert Issued for River Thames from Calcutt to Lechlade

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Thames and its small tributaries from Calcutt to Lechlade. This alert, designated as severity level 3, indicates that flooding is possible and residents should remain prepared for changing conditions.

Affected Areas

The alert covers a geographic scope spanning Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Swindon, and Wiltshire. Specific watercourses of concern include:

• River Thames
• Blunsdon Brook
• Water Eaton Brook
• Marston Meysey Brook
• Share Ditch
• Bydemill Brook
• Westrop Brook
• Downington Brook

Flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected to continue today, February 17, 2026, with particular impact noted in the Kempsford area.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid using low-lying footpaths and roads near rivers, as these areas may be flooded.
• Monitor current river levels via the official River Levels Online service.
• Stay informed on local weather updates as river levels remain responsive to additional rainfall.

Expected Conditions

River levels are currently high but are slowly falling across the Thames and its tributaries. While today and tonight are forecasted to be predominantly dry, further rain is expected tomorrow. Because the ground remains saturated and river levels are high, the system is expected to be highly responsive to the incoming rainfall over the next couple of days.

Timeline

The alert was raised at 11:21 AM on February 17, 2026. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation and expects to provide an update by 12:00 PM on February 18, 2026, or sooner if conditions change.