Flood Warning Issued for Groundwater in Allen Vale, Dorset

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for groundwater flooding in the Allen Vale. This alert specifically targets the areas of Monkton Up Wimborne and Wimborne St Giles within the Wessex region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers geographic regions under the jurisdiction of the Dorset Council. Specific locations at risk include Monkton Up Wimborne and Wimborne St Giles. Residents in these areas should be aware that groundwater levels in Cranborne Chase remain high despite falling slowly.

What You Should Do

Residents are advised to take the following precautions:

• Prepare property resilience measures immediately.
• Ensure that water pumps are installed, switched on, and working correctly.
• Consider alternative power sources in the event of power cuts.
• Be prepared for the inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems.
• Monitor cellars for potential flooding.
• Exercise extreme caution when driving, as flooding of roads is expected.

Expected Conditions

The groundwater level at the West Woodyates borehole is currently recorded at 104.52m. Although the region has experienced a few days of drier weather, groundwater levels remain elevated. Further rainfall is forecast to begin on Thursday, February 26, which is expected to cause levels to rise again through the weekend.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised on February 25, 2026. New rainfall is anticipated to impact the area starting Thursday, February 26. The Environment Agency will monitor the situation closely and expects to provide an update by 2:00 PM on March 4, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.