Flood Warning Issued for Upper Frome from Maiden Newton to Dorchester

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for the Upper Frome from Maiden Newton to Dorchester. This alert was officially raised on February 19, 2026, at 12:43 PM following rising river levels on the Dorset Frome.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Wessex area within the Dorset Council jurisdiction. Specific locations identified as most at risk include:

• Higher Frome Vauchurch and Frome Vauchurch
• Cruxton, Notton, and Frampton
• Grimstone, Muckleford, and Stratton
• Bradford Peverell and Wrackleford
• Charminster, Frome Whitfield, and Wolfeton
• Lower Burton and Cokers Frome

Specific infrastructure impacts are expected on the Charminster to Dorchester road at Burton, the Frampton to Southover road, and the Grimstone to Muckleford road.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the warning area are advised to take immediate precautions. The Environment Agency urges the public to take care and avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water. Officials are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Expected Conditions

High river levels are expected to cause flooding today due to recent and ongoing rainfall. Data from the Stinsford gauge indicates that river levels are currently high. While the forecast for the remainder of today and tomorrow suggests very low rainfall totals, the existing water levels remain a threat to the identified areas.

Timeline

Flooding is expected to occur on February 19, 2026, and may continue into Friday, February 20, 2026. This message is scheduled to be updated by 2:00 PM on February 20, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.