HomeFlood Events › Groundwater flooding in upper River Ems
Flood Alert

Flood Alert: Groundwater flooding in upper River Ems Valley - 13th March 2026

📍 West Sussex 🌊 Groundwater 📅 13 March 2026

A Flood Alert was issued for Groundwater flooding in upper River Ems Valley in West Sussex on 13th March 2026. Affected watercourses included the Groundwater.

During this event, FloodRadar monitoring gauges recorded notable rises. The River Lavant at West Street rose 0.41m, peaking at 7.21m, while the Hermitage Stream at Havant climbed 0.26m.

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 showers or small amounts of rain are forecast over the next 5 days to Tuesday 17/03/2026. Groundwater at Compton borehole is expected to continue to fall. It is probable that groundwater wi

Monitoring gauges during this event

StationRiverRisePeak
West Street River Lavant +0.41m 7.21m
Havant Hermitage Stream +0.26m 5.46m
Emsworth West Brook +0.21m 2.03m
Chichester Tozer Way River Lavant +0.09m 13.37m

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.