Flood Alert Issued for Upper Meon River in Hampshire

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for the Upper Meon area within the Solent and South Downs region. This alert was raised on February 23, 2026, due to high river levels and elevated groundwater following recent weather patterns.

Affected Areas

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

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

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to monitor local conditions and stay informed on river level changes. The Environment Agency is currently monitoring the situation closely and is working to ensure the River Meon is kept free of any reported blockages to facilitate drainage.

Expected Conditions

While river levels are currently elevated, they are reported to be slowly falling. Minor impact flooding is expected to continue affecting local roads and low-lying land. Virtually no rainfall is forecast between Monday, February 23, and Wednesday, February 25, which should allow the river system a period of recovery. However, groundwater levels remain high, maintaining the risk of flooding through February 24.

Timeline

The alert is currently active as of February 23, 2026. A dry window is expected through February 25, but further rainfall is forecast for Thursday, February 26, and Friday, February 27, which may cause river levels to rise again. The Environment Agency will provide an official update on this situation by 18:00 on February 25, 2026.