Flood Warning Issued for Groundwater in Cerne Valley, Dorset

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for groundwater flooding in the Cerne Valley. This alert was officially raised on February 24, 2026, at 3:01 PM for the Wessex area.

Affected Areas

The primary geographic focus of this warning is the Cerne Valley within the Dorset Council region. Specific areas identified as being at risk include Charminster and nearby surrounding areas.

What You Should Do

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

• Prepare and implement property resilience measures immediately.
• If you have a pump installed, ensure it is switched on and functioning correctly.
• Consider alternative power sources for pumps in the event of a power outage.
• Be aware that septic tanks and sewer systems may experience inundation.
• Exercise extreme caution when driving on flooded roads to ensure personal safety and to prevent bow waves from flooding adjacent properties.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels across West Dorset are currently high and remain highly reactive to further rainfall. Technical monitoring at the Dickley Down borehole has recorded a groundwater level of 164.18m. These conditions are expected to lead to the flooding of roads and potential infrastructure impacts.

Timeline

This warning is currently in effect as of February 24, 2026. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and expects to provide a formal update by 2:00 PM on March 3, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.