Flood Warning Issued for North Winterborne, Dorset Due to Rising Groundwater

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for the North Winterborne area, specifically north of the A354. This alert indicates that flooding is expected due to high groundwater levels in the Wessex region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers several locations within the Dorset Council jurisdiction, including:

• Turnworth
• Winterborne Stickland
• Winterborne Houghton
• Clenston
• Whatcombe
• Whitechurch

What You Should Do

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

• If you have a water pump, ensure it is operational and switched on.
• Prepare alternative power sources in the event of power cuts.
• Avoid driving through flood water, as roads in the area may become impassable.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels remain significantly high, with the Delcombe Wood borehole recording a level of 142.273m above sea level. While no rainfall is anticipated over the next 48 hours, a new band of rain is forecast to arrive on Thursday. This additional precipitation is expected to maintain the current high groundwater levels and prolong the risk of flooding.

Timeline

This alert was officially raised on February 23, 2026. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and will provide an update by 10:30 AM on March 2, 2026, or earlier if conditions change significantly.