Flood Warning Issued for South Winterbourne Valley

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for the South Winterbourne Valley in the Wessex area. This alert was triggered by high groundwater levels currently affecting the region.

Affected Areas

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

• Winterbourne Abbas
• Winterbourne Steepleton
• Martinstown
• Winterbourne Monkton
• Winterbourne Herringston
• Winterbourne Came

What You Should Do

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

• Ensure any water pumps are functional and switched on.
• Prepare alternative power sources in the event of power outages.
• Monitor local conditions closely as groundwater levels remain high.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels in West Dorset remain elevated, with the Kingston Russell borehole recording a level of 121.43m. Residents should expect the following impacts:

• Inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems.
• Flooding of cellars in properties within the affected zones.
• Flooding and potential damage to local roads.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised on February 23, 2026. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation and expects to provide an update by 2:00 PM on March 2, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.