Latest update - 11 Feb 2026

Current Situation

At the time of writing there are 34 of the 35 groundwater flood warnings in force across the Dorset and Wiltshire area. We have seen further rainfall that has caused groundwater levels to rise further. High groundwater levels are also increasing the flood risk from rivers due to additional base flow, and several fluvial (river) flood warnings are active across the area. This briefing provides an update on the current flood risk, where groundwater flooding is happening and information and guidance on flood warnings.

Further unsettled weather is forecast throughout February which may cause levels to rise further. You can find the latest information here: www.gov.uk/check-flooding

Site Specific Information

Salisbury

In the Salisbury Plain area, groundwater levels are rising and are likely to continue to rise for the next few weeks. Several locations—Chilmark, Teffont, and the Dene—are expected to peak this week, with Alerts in place until the end of March.

Salisbury City Centre is also experiencing high groundwater levels, and we anticipate flooding.

Levels in the slow reacting areas of the Till and Bourne are rising and this is having an influence on the Hampshire Avon, where river levels are high and still rising. We are working closely with our partners including Wiltshire Council, and we are out in communities who have been affected by groundwater flooding.

West Dorset

We expect levels in the West Dorset area to continue to rise this week before peaking late this week or early next week. Properties in this area are being affected, either by property flooding or are pumping water away from their property to try and reduce flood risk. Roads, including main roads like the A35, where traffic lights are in place outside of Winterborne Abbas, are also being flooded.

Cranborne Chase

In Cranborne Chase, levels are high and are expected to continue to rise into next week, well above flood warning levels. Areas with properties affected range from Pimperne to Milborne St Andrew, and all the other groundwater influenced areas in between. Several roads in the Cranborne Chase area are closed and will likely remain closed for some time.

Areas such as Tollard Royal and Sixpenny Handley are seeing impacts to sewage systems and water running down roads.