Flood Alert Issued for Vernham Dean, Upton, and the Bourne Valley Due to Rising Groundwater

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for groundwater flooding in Vernham Dean, Upton, and the Bourne Valley. This alert, classified as severity level 3, indicates that flooding is possible in the Solent and South Downs area.

Affected Areas

The primary geographic focus includes the county of Hampshire, specifically affecting:

• Vernham Dean
• Upton
• The Bourne Valley
• Hurstbourne Tarrant
• Stoke
• St Mary Bourne

Currently, flooding is affecting a small number of cellars in Upton, and septic tanks in the region are reported to be struggling to operate properly.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to prepare property resilience measures immediately. It is essential to ensure that any installed pumps are in good working order, especially for those located in Upton. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation as groundwater levels fluctuate.

Expected Conditions

Data indicates that 19mm of rain has been recorded over the last week, causing the groundwater level at Vernham Dean to rise by 2.5m. For today, February 18, 2026, an additional 10 to 20mm of rain is forecast. While groundwater levels are beginning to stabilise, the sewerage systems and cellars in Hurstbourne Tarrant, Stoke, Vernham Dean, and St Mary Bourne remain at risk if heavy rain persists toward the end of February.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised at 11:15 AM on February 18, 2026. Small amounts of rain are forecast from Thursday, February 19, through Sunday, February 22. This message is scheduled to be updated by 6:00 PM on February 24, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.