Flood Warning Issued for Middle Hampshire Avon in Salisbury Cathedral Area

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for the Middle Hampshire Avon at the St Marys Cathedral area in Salisbury. The alert was raised at 1:46 PM on February 18, 2026, following high river levels caused by recent rainfall and elevated groundwater levels.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers locations near the Middle Hampshire Avon in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Areas expected to be most affected include:

• The Close
• St Marys Cathedral
• Salisbury Cathedral School
• Bishops Walk
• Exeter Street
• Carmelite Way

Low-lying land and roads in these vicinities are at particular risk of flooding.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Deploy any available flood protection products immediately.
• Activate personal or business flood plans if you have one.
• Avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
• Exercise extreme caution near the river; as little as 30cm of fast-flowing water is sufficient to move a vehicle.

Expected Conditions

River levels remain high due to the combination of recent precipitation and high groundwater levels. Additional rainfall is forecast from today through tomorrow morning, which is expected to cause river levels to rise further over the coming days. The Environment Agency is continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Timeline

The alert was issued on February 18, 2026. Rain is forecast to continue through the morning of February 19. The Environment Agency expects to provide an update by 1:45 PM on February 19, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.