Flood Warning Issued for Allen Vale at Sixpenny Handley Due to High Groundwater

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for groundwater flooding in the Allen Vale at Sixpenny Handley. This alert indicates that flooding is expected due to high groundwater levels in the Cranborne Chase area.

Affected Areas

The primary area affected is Sixpenny Handley, located within the jurisdictions of Dorset Council and Wiltshire in the Wessex region.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels in Cranborne Chase are currently falling slowly but remain high. Specific data from the West Woodyates borehole shows a level of 104.52m. While the region has experienced a few days of drier weather, additional rainfall is forecast to begin on Thursday, February 26, which is expected to cause groundwater levels to rise again through the weekend.

Residents should anticipate the following hazards:

• Property Impact: Flooding of cellars in affected areas.
• Infrastructure: Inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems.
• Travel: Flooding of local roads is expected; motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to take the following actions:

• Prepare and implement property resilience measures immediately.
• Ensure that any installed basement or flood pumps are switched on and functioning correctly.
• Identify alternative power sources for pumps in the event of a power outage.
• Avoid driving through floodwaters on local roads.

Timeline

This alert was officially raised on March 5, 2026. Groundwater levels are expected to remain high, with potential increases following the forecast rainfall starting February 26. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation closely and will provide an update by 2:00 PM on March 11, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.