Flood Alert Issued for River Yealm in Devon and Plymouth Through Thursday

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Yealm catchment area. The alert was officially raised at 5:08 PM on February 17, 2026, due to rising river levels and forecasted weather conditions.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the River Yealm area within Devon and Plymouth. This falls under the broader jurisdiction of the Devon, Cornwall, and Isles of Scilly Environment Agency area. Geographic impacts are expected to be concentrated near the river banks and adjacent low-lying infrastructure.

What You Should Do

Residents and commuters are advised to exercise caution when traveling through the region. The Environment Agency strongly advises against walking, cycling, or driving through flood water. Local residents should remain vigilant and monitor updates as the situation progresses.

Expected Conditions

Heavy rain is forecast to fall overnight across the region. Because river catchments are already saturated, water levels are expected to respond quickly to the additional precipitation. High river levels are anticipated to cause flooding on low-lying land and roads close to the River Yealm starting late Tuesday evening. According to current agency models, no flooding to residential or commercial properties is forecast at this time.

Timeline

The flood alert is effective from the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and is expected to persist until Thursday, February 19, 2026. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and plans to provide a formal update by 4:00 PM on February 18, 2026, or sooner if conditions change.