Flood Warning Issued for South Wiltshire Downs and Chilmark Stream Area

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for groundwater flooding in the South Wiltshire Downs - The Chilmark. This alert indicates that high groundwater levels are expected to cause flooding in the region.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers areas around the Chilmark stream and the South Wiltshire Downs within the county of Wiltshire. High groundwater levels have been noted across Salisbury Plain following recent rainfall.

What You Should Do

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

• Prepare property resilience measures and ensure that any installed pumps are switched on and working correctly.
• Consider alternative power sources for pumps in the event of power cuts.
• Be prepared for the potential inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems.
• 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 in Salisbury Plain are currently high due to recent rainfall. The groundwater level at The Terraces borehole has reached 117.15m and is expected to remain reactive to any further rainfall. Expected impacts include the flooding of roads and potential property inundation.

Timeline

This alert was issued at 3:06 PM on February 24, 2026. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation closely and will provide an update by 3:00 PM on March 3, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.