Flood Alert Issued for Upper Meon in Hampshire as River Meon Levels Rise

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Upper Meon area within the Solent and South Downs region. This alert, designated as severity level 3, was raised on February 27, 2026, following sustained high groundwater levels and recent rainfall.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the River Meon in Hampshire. Geographic areas at risk include:

• East Meon and West Meon: Potential road flooding, including Lynch Lane, Shoe Lane, and Church Lane.
• Exton and Meonstoke: Impacts expected at Bucks Head Hill.
• Wickham: Potential flooding of gardens and the Millennium Water Meadows.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to:

• Consider activating any available flood protection products.
• Ensure groundwater pumps are operational, particularly for properties in close proximity to the river.
• Monitor local conditions as the Environment Agency continues to clear reported blockages.

Expected Conditions

River levels at Wickham remain high due to saturated groundwater. Following a small amount of rain on the morning of Friday, February 27, river levels are currently rising slowly. While only minor additional rainfall is forecast through the weekend and Monday, the river may still overflow into gardens and onto local roadways.

Timeline

The flood alert was officially raised at 5:26 PM on February 27, 2026. Conditions are expected to remain hazardous through the weekend, with river levels and flood risks projected to begin reducing by Monday, March 2, 2026, as more settled weather arrives. The Environment Agency will provide an update on the situation by 6:00 PM on March 1, 2026.