EA warns of ongoing flood risk in Somerset, Dorset

Flood risk remains active. As of Tuesday 17 February 2026, the Environment Agency reported 64 flood warnings and 175 flood alerts across England, with rain and snow warnings expected for Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February. Keep an eye on your local updates and plan journeys with care. (gov.uk)

If you’re learning the difference, here’s the quick read: river flooding usually follows soon after heavy rain, while groundwater flooding builds more slowly as water held in the ground rises. That slower rise can keep causing disruption even when the skies clear, which is why multiple groundwater warnings remain in place for Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. (gov.uk)

On the Somerset Levels and Moors, the Agency moved early. Teams positioned pumps ahead of agreed trigger points so they were ready the moment conditions allowed. At Dunball, new pumps are removing around 10 cubic metres (about 10 tonnes) of water every second alongside the tide gate, with more pumps taking capacity towards 15 cubic metres a second. Crews are also clearing vegetation, removing obstructions and putting up temporary barriers where needed. (gov.uk)

Beyond Somerset, Agency teams are out across England checking flood defences, clearing river blockages and closely monitoring levels. This round‑the‑clock work is designed to reduce risk and speed up recovery once water starts to fall. (gov.uk)

The impact so far is mixed: roughly 340 properties have been recorded as flooded since late January, while defences have protected more than 22,000. These figures will change as officers confirm what’s happened on the ground. (gov.uk)

Your safety steps are straightforward. Do not drive through floodwater. Sign up for free flood warnings by text, phone or email, use the GOV.UK checker before you travel, and call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for 24‑hour advice. Share warnings with housemates or neighbours who might miss them. (gov.uk)

If you live over chalk or sandy ground, groundwater can push up from below and affect basements or low‑lying roads. It often lasts longer than river flooding, which is why patience and steady planning matter once levels start to rise. (gov.uk)

The Agency says significant groundwater impacts are probable in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire. Minor groundwater impacts are probable in parts of Hampshire and West Sussex, and possible in Kent, East Sussex and North Yorkshire. River impacts on the Somerset Levels also remain possible, so keep checking alerts even if rainfall eases. (gov.uk)

Officials are asking for vigilance. Flood Duty Manager Ben Lukey has urged people to stay alert and not to drive through floodwater, while Floods Minister Emma Hardy has asked residents to follow local advice. She says government funding aims to protect a further 900,000 properties by 2036, with £10.5 billion for flood protection and over £100 million reprioritised for maintaining existing assets. (gov.uk)

Finally, remember that some rivers, moors and levels respond slowly to earlier rainfall and can keep rising even as showers fade. The Environment Agency will keep monitoring conditions and adjust plans as forecasts update; we should keep checking, share information in our circles, and look out for those who might need help. (gov.uk)