Flood Alert Issued for Western Rother Affecting Hampshire and West Sussex

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Western Rother within the Solent and South Downs area. The alert was raised on February 18, 2026, following reports that river levels are higher than normal at Fittleworth.

Affected Areas

The alert covers geographic regions in Hampshire and West Sussex. Specific locations identified as at risk include:

• Liss and Sheet: Minor flooding of fields, roads, and gardens.
• Iping: Potential flooding of gardens.
• Lodsbridge and Fittleworth: Risk to isolated properties and fields close to isolated Mill properties.

What You Should Do

Residents in Lodsbridge and Fittleworth are advised to consider activating any flood protection products they may have. Residents in all affected areas should monitor local weather reports, as unsettled weather is expected to continue throughout February, potentially bringing further periods of flood risk.

Expected Conditions

Rain is forecast from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. While only isolated showers are expected from Thursday afternoon through the weekend, river levels are currently elevated. If more rain occurs than expected, isolated property flooding is possible. Flood water is already present in fields near isolated Mill properties.

Timeline

• February 18, 22:00: Minor flooding may begin affecting fields, roads, and gardens in Liss and Sheet.
• February 19, 02:00: Flooding could begin affecting gardens in Iping.
• February 19, 12:00: Flooding could affect isolated properties at Lodsbridge and Fittleworth.
• Peak Levels: River levels are expected to peak by Thursday morning in Liss and by Thursday evening in Fittleworth.
• Recession: Levels are forecast to slowly fall on Friday and through the weekend.

This message is scheduled to be updated by 20:00 on February 19, 2026.