Flood Warning Issued for Wylye Valley at Wilton Due to Rising Groundwater Levels

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Level 2 Flood Warning for groundwater flooding in the Wylye Valley at Wilton. This alert indicates that flooding is expected and residents should take immediate action to protect their property.

Affected Areas

The primary area of concern is the Wylye Valley at Wilton, located in the Wessex area of Wiltshire. High groundwater levels are currently being monitored across Salisbury Plain, with specific data from the Stoford Cross borehole showing levels at 71.43m.

What You Should Do

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

• Property Resilience: Prepare and install property resilience measures immediately.
• Equipment Maintenance: Ensure that any installed flood pumps are in working order.
• Infrastructure Hazards: Be aware that septic tanks and sewer systems may experience inundation.
• Travel Safety: Take particular care when driving on local roads, as floodwater may have caused damage. Avoid driving through floods to protect your safety and prevent property damage to others.
• Cellar Protection: Be prepared for potential flooding in cellars within the affected areas.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels in Salisbury Plain are currently high and beginning to plateau. While recent weather has been drier, a new weather front bringing rainfall is forecast to begin on Thursday, February 26. This additional precipitation is expected to cause groundwater levels to rise again through the weekend. In locations where groundwater is already near the surface, intense rainfall is likely to lead to surface water flooding.

Timeline

This alert was issued on February 25, 2026. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation closely as the forecast rainfall approaches on Thursday. A formal update to this message is scheduled to be provided by 2:30 PM on March 4, 2026.