Flood Alert Issued for West Berkshire Villages as Groundwater Levels Rise

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for the Thames area. The alert was officially raised on February 26, 2026, due to high groundwater levels that may lead to flooding in several communities.

Affected Areas

The following geographic regions in West Berkshire are currently under the flood alert:

• West Ilsley
• East Ilsley
• Compton
• Chilton
• West Hagbourne

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Take particular care when driving for your own safety and to prevent causing flood water to impact others.
• Monitor the situation closely as conditions evolve.
• Be aware of the potential for flooding in low-lying areas and on local roads.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels at the Hodcot borehole are currently higher than normal for this time of year and are continuing to rise. This increase in groundwater is expected to cause flooding in low-lying areas and on roads. The Environment Agency notes that due to the nature of groundwater flooding, these conditions could persist for several weeks or longer.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 4:56 PM on February 26, 2026. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and expects to provide an update by 12:00 PM on March 3, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.