Flood Warning Issued for Devils Brook in West Dorset as Groundwater Levels Remain High

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning for the Devils Brook area in West Dorset. This alert, classified as severity level 2, was officially raised on February 24, 2026, at 2:58 PM following reports of high groundwater levels in the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Wessex area under the jurisdiction of the Dorset Council. Specific geographic regions identified as being at risk include the villages of Dewlish and Chesilbourne. Residents in these areas should prepare for potential impacts to property and infrastructure.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected warning area are advised to take the following precautions:

• Prepare and implement property resilience measures immediately.
• If you have a water pump installed, ensure it is switched on and working correctly.
• Consider alternative power sources to keep pumps running in the event of power cuts.
• Be prepared for the possible inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems.
• Exercise extreme caution when driving, as flooding of local roads is expected.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels in West Dorset are currently high. While levels are beginning to fall slowly, they remain highly reactive to any additional rainfall. The groundwater level at the Doles Ash borehole was recorded at 122.52m. Expected hazards include the flooding of cellars in affected properties and the inundation of local road networks.

Timeline

The alert was issued on February 24, 2026. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation as groundwater levels slowly recede. This message is scheduled to be updated by 11:15 AM on March 3, 2026, or sooner if conditions change.