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Flood Alert: Groundwater flooding in upper River Ems Valley - 27th February 2026

📍 West Sussex 🌊 Groundwater 📅 27 February 2026

A Flood Alert was issued for Groundwater flooding in upper River Ems Valley in West Sussex on 27th February 2026. Affected watercourses included the Groundwater.

During this event, FloodRadar monitoring gauges recorded notable rises. The River Lavant at West Street rose 0.11m, peaking at 7.40m, while the Hermitage Stream at Havant climbed 0.09m.

Environment Agency advice issued

Groundwater is high, very close to the surface, but slowly falling at the Compton borehole. Springs will continue to appear, water will be in fields, and water will flow down roads, including Stoughton main road, the road from East Marden, between Cooks Lane and Barley Mow in Walderton, and the B2146 near Woodlands Lane. Groundwater will also affect a small number of cellars in Stoughton and Walderton. Only small amounts of rain are forecast over the five days to 03/03/2026, and it is probable that groundwater at Compton borehole will continue to slowly fall over the coming week. There is a su

Monitoring gauges during this event

StationRiverRisePeak
West Street River Lavant +0.11m 7.40m
Havant Hermitage Stream +0.09m 5.37m
Emsworth West Brook +0.07m 2.00m
Chichester Tozer Way River Lavant +0.07m 13.52m
Crosslands Drive River Lavant +0.07m 0.56m

This report is automatically compiled from Environment Agency flood warning records and FloodRadar river-level monitoring data. Figures are observed gauge readings during the event period. This is a historical record, not a live warning — always check current flood warnings and gov.uk.