Flood Warning Issued for Wylye Valley in Wiltshire Due to High Groundwater Levels

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Warning (Severity Level 2) for the Wylye Valley in the Wessex area. This alert is specifically for groundwater flooding, which remains a significant concern for the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers several locations across Wiltshire, including:

• Kingston Deverill
• Monkton Deverill
• Hill Deverill
• Longbridge Deverill
• Crockerton
• Norton Bavant
• Heytesbury
• Corton
• Upton Lovell
• Boyton
• Sherrington
• Stockton
• Bapton

What You Should Do

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

• Prepare and implement property resilience measures immediately.
• Ensure that any installed water pumps are in good working order.
• Be aware that septic tanks and sewer systems may experience inundation.
• Prepare for potential flooding in cellars.
• Exercise extreme caution when driving, as roads are expected to flood and may have sustained damage from floodwater. Avoid driving through floodwater to prevent further damage to property and ensure personal safety.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels in Salisbury Plain are currently plateauing but remain at a high level. The Tilshead MOD borehole has recorded a level of 108.59m. While the region has experienced a few days of drier weather, further rainfall is forecast to begin on Thursday, February 26. This additional precipitation is expected to cause groundwater levels to rise again through the weekend.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised on February 25, 2026. Increased water levels are expected to manifest starting Thursday, February 26, following the arrival of new rainfall. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation closely and will provide an updated message by 2:00 PM on March 4, 2026.