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Flood Alert: Groundwater flooding in upper River Ems Valley - 9th March 2026

📍 West Sussex 🌊 Groundwater 📅 9 March 2026

A Flood Alert was issued for Groundwater flooding in upper River Ems Valley in West Sussex on 9th March 2026. Affected watercourses included the Groundwater.

During this event, FloodRadar monitoring gauges recorded notable rises. The West Brook at Emsworth rose 0.08m, peaking at 1.90m, while the River Lavant at Chichester Tozer Way climbed 0.06m.

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. Bands of rain are forecast to move across the country on Wednesday 11/03/2026 and Friday 13/03/2026. However, only relatively small amounts of rain are currently predicted, and groundwater at Co

Monitoring gauges during this event

StationRiverRisePeak
Emsworth West Brook +0.08m 1.90m
Chichester Tozer Way River Lavant +0.06m 13.38m

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.