Flood Warning Issued for Lower Frome from East Stoke to Wareham in Dorset

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning for the Lower Frome from East Stoke to Wareham. This Level 2 severity alert was updated at 12:16 PM on February 15, 2026, due to high river levels on the Dorset Frome.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the Wessex area under the Dorset Council jurisdiction. Specific locations identified as most at risk include:

• East Stoke
• Holmebridge
• Stoborough and Stoborough Green
• Wareham
• Redcliffe
• Ridge
• Swineham

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas should take the following precautions:

• Continue using any flood protection products currently in place.
• Act on your flood plan if you have one.
• Avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
• Do not attempt to drive through flood water; as little as 30cm of fast-flowing water is enough to move a car.

Expected Conditions

River levels remain high at the Stinsford river gauge as a result of recent rainfall and high groundwater levels. The weather remains unsettled, with additional rainfall forecast throughout the day, which may lead to further rises in river levels.

Timeline

The alert was issued on February 15, 2026. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation and expects to provide an update by 4:00 PM on February 16, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.