Flood Warning Issued for Piddle Valley as Groundwater Levels Rise in Dorset

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for groundwater flooding in the Piddle Valley within the Wessex area. The alert was officially raised on February 24, 2026, at 2:56 PM local time due to high groundwater levels that pose a risk to the surrounding region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Dorset Council region, specifically targeting the following geographic areas:

• Piddletrentide
• Plush
• Piddlehinton
• Puddletown
• Tolpuddle
• Affpuddle

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to take immediate precautions:

• Prepare property resilience measures and ensure any installed pumps are switched on and working correctly.
• Plan for alternative power sources in case of potential power cuts.
• Be aware that inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems is possible.
• Take particular care when driving, as flooding of local roads is expected.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels in West Dorset remain high. Current data from the Doles Ash borehole shows a level of 122.52m. While levels are beginning to recede slowly, the Environment Agency notes that the groundwater remains highly reactive to any additional rainfall. The primary hazards include property flooding and the saturation of drainage systems.

Timeline

The alert is currently in effect. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation closely and will provide an update by 11:00 AM on March 3, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.